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Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
Education-Fit programme (AusbildungsFit, AFit)
Overview
The AusbildungsFit concept was developed in 2014 to replace the previous production schools and create a uniform, standardized offering. The aim was to offer young people with a need to catch up on school, social and personal skills a structured preparation for an apprenticeship.
Young people receive support in acquiring the skills and cultural techniques that represent the entry requirements for the profession that best suits their abilities and also offers them the best development opportunities based on their individual potential. Deficits in the area of defined basic skills (such as the use of new media or a lack of social skills) that are essential for completing vocational training (or partial qualification) are taught in AusbildungsFit and ideally compensated for.
An additional “AusbildungsFit pre-module” is offered to ensure the lowest possible entry threshold for young people with disabilities or higher support needs. There is special support for people with certain disabilities (e.g. for deaf people due to communication.
Access to AusbildungsFit is regulated by the AMS.
Young people receive support in acquiring the skills and cultural techniques that represent the entry requirements for the profession that best suits their abilities and also offers them the best development opportunities based on their individual potential. Deficits in the area of defined basic skills (such as the use of new media or a lack of social skills) that are essential for completing vocational training (or partial qualification) are taught in AusbildungsFit and ideally compensated for.
An additional “AusbildungsFit pre-module” is offered to ensure the lowest possible entry threshold for young people with disabilities or higher support needs. There is special support for people with certain disabilities (e.g. for deaf people due to communication.
Access to AusbildungsFit is regulated by the AMS.
Objectives
Young people who lack social skills and cultural techniques are to be given the opportunity to subsequently acquire basic qualifications and social skills that they have missed out on. AusbildungsFit is offered throughout Austria.
Coaches accompany the young people for the entire duration of AusbildungsFit and discuss their progress with them on an ongoing basis. There are training modules with a focus on activation (help getting started), practice (training, vocational orientation) and specialization (for specific vocational training). Sport and exercise have a high priority at AusbildungsFit and are offered at different levels of difficulty. The knowledge workshop focuses on acquiring skills in the area of cultural techniques and new media.
Coaches accompany the young people for the entire duration of AusbildungsFit and discuss their progress with them on an ongoing basis. There are training modules with a focus on activation (help getting started), practice (training, vocational orientation) and specialization (for specific vocational training). Sport and exercise have a high priority at AusbildungsFit and are offered at different levels of difficulty. The knowledge workshop focuses on acquiring skills in the area of cultural techniques and new media.
Implementation
The AusbildungsFit concept was developed in 2014 to replace the previous production schools and create a uniform, standardized offering. The aim was to offer young people with a need to catch up on school, social and personal skills a structured preparation for training. The nationwide introduction took place gradually from 2016.
Innovative features
Mentoring programs for marginalized groups, Specialized training tailored to different learner needs, Offers flexible learning options for different needs, Includes mentorship and support networks
Success stories
P.: Completion of compulsory schooling, no interest in further schooling. Lack of skills, physical stamina and learning difficulties, also argumentative behavior. Joined AFit, low-threshold access to practical activities in professionally equipped workshops and intensive coaching led to the cooperation with company owner who offered P. an apprenticeship, which he started just two weeks later.
G.: Negative experience of bullying, resulting in withdrawal and isolation, strain on family, G. tends to behave aggressively when overwhelmed. After three years of isolation, attempt to find an apprenticeship in combination with AusbildungsFit. G built up self-confidence through partial goals and pursuit of career aspirations (carpenter) in a protected environment. 4-week work training in a carpentry work-shop, employer is enthusiastic about G. and offered him an apprenticeship.
G.: Negative experience of bullying, resulting in withdrawal and isolation, strain on family, G. tends to behave aggressively when overwhelmed. After three years of isolation, attempt to find an apprenticeship in combination with AusbildungsFit. G built up self-confidence through partial goals and pursuit of career aspirations (carpenter) in a protected environment. 4-week work training in a carpentry work-shop, employer is enthusiastic about G. and offered him an apprenticeship.
Measured outcomes
Evaluation 2023:
• Lower drop-out rate in the period 2018-2022 compared to AMS dataware houses (2021 & 2022: 19% compared to 43%)
• More people in training than comparison group (23%)
• Increase in integration into apprenticeships and educational qualifications
• More people registered as unemployed, but fewer as “inactive”
• 1.6-fold increase in training integration success
• Lower drop-out rate in the period 2018-2022 compared to AMS dataware houses (2021 & 2022: 19% compared to 43%)
• More people in training than comparison group (23%)
• Increase in integration into apprenticeships and educational qualifications
• More people registered as unemployed, but fewer as “inactive”
• 1.6-fold increase in training integration success
Challenges and lessons learned
2020: Implementation of the pre-module for a low-threshold introduction
Extension of the participation period possible in exceptional cases
Extension of the participation period possible in exceptional cases
- CountryAustria
- SectorAll sectors
- Target groupPeople at risk of poverty or social exclusion People with disabilities
Leading organisation
A programme in a wider network for vocational assistance (“NEBA”) funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs (BMSGPK) and the Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) and implemented by the Social Ministry Service (SMS)
Date
2014, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• NGOs and social organizations
Number of beneficiaries
2021: A total of 6.146 participations
2022: A total of 6.486 participations
2023: A total of 6.661 participations
2024: A total of 7.166 participations
2022: A total of 6.486 participations
2023: A total of 6.661 participations
2024: A total of 7.166 participations
