DUAL ONLINE CENTER
Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
FiT – Women in crafts and technology (Frauen in Handwerk und Technik)
Overview
The “FiT - Frauen in Technik und Handwerk” project promotes the entry of women into professions with a female share of less than 40%. The aim of this program is to achieve equality between men and women. The income gap between men and women, caused by the double burden on women (work and family) and by segregation, is to be combated. Through supportive measures, women should at least obtain an apprenticeship or comparable training in non-traditional professions. The program is aimed at unemployed women. To this end, support is provided in the areas of information, advice, promotion and placement of women in professions with a future.
Objectives
The aim of this project is to achieve equality between men and women in skilled trades by promoting and supporting women. The program helps women with
• Career orientation courses: Overview and content of the many FiT professions,
• Internship: Insight into the technical craft working world,
• Training with apprenticeship, school, college or university degree,
• Advice and support during your training, e.g. learning assistance,
• Advice on reconciling work and family life
• Unemployment benefit, training allowance, course cost allowance, childcare allowance
• Career orientation courses: Overview and content of the many FiT professions,
• Internship: Insight into the technical craft working world,
• Training with apprenticeship, school, college or university degree,
• Advice and support during your training, e.g. learning assistance,
• Advice on reconciling work and family life
• Unemployment benefit, training allowance, course cost allowance, childcare allowance
Implementation
The initiative was launched in 2006. With support measures such as orientation courses, internships, training, advice and grants, unemployed women are to be given the opportunity to have the same chances as men in technical professions.
Innovative features
Mentoring programs for marginalized groups, Financial support (e.g., grants, scholarships, wage subsidies), Includes mentorship and support networks
Success stories
Experience report
S.: As part of the FiT program, I got to know the profession of mechatronics engineer and discovered my interest in it. I am very happy to have chosen this career path and I really enjoy going to work every day. I can only recommend such an apprenticeship to any woman!
D.: I prefer working physically, it's better than sitting in front of a computer all day. There's always been someone there to help me when I've needed it. And why shouldn't a woman stand in front of the lathe? Men are hairdressers too!
S.: As part of the FiT program, I got to know the profession of mechatronics engineer and discovered my interest in it. I am very happy to have chosen this career path and I really enjoy going to work every day. I can only recommend such an apprenticeship to any woman!
D.: I prefer working physically, it's better than sitting in front of a computer all day. There's always been someone there to help me when I've needed it. And why shouldn't a woman stand in front of the lathe? Men are hairdressers too!
Measured outcomes
Evaluation 2022:
• Income in the second year after participation 26-36% higher than before participation
• 43% find a job within a few days, 86% within six months and 92% within a year
• Apprentices in particular find a job quickly
• The younger the participants, the faster they found a job
• 45% of participants gained a higher professional qualification, for 44% it remained the same, in 11% of cases it decreased.
• Younger participants in particular had a higher level of professional activity after completion (under 30 years: 57%; 30 to 39 years: 54%)
• Income in the second year after participation 26-36% higher than before participation
• 43% find a job within a few days, 86% within six months and 92% within a year
• Apprentices in particular find a job quickly
• The younger the participants, the faster they found a job
• 45% of participants gained a higher professional qualification, for 44% it remained the same, in 11% of cases it decreased.
• Younger participants in particular had a higher level of professional activity after completion (under 30 years: 57%; 30 to 39 years: 54%)
- CountryAustria
- SectorAgriculture and forestry Construction Energy, water supply and waste management Manufacturing Transportation, storage and packaging Wood processing
- Target groupWomen
Leading organisation
Public Employment Service Austria (Arbeitsmarktservice, AMS)
Date
2006, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• VET providers and training centers
• NGOs and social organizations
• NGOs and social organizations
Number of beneficiaries
2015-2020: 8.228 women completed the program
