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Bank of Good Practices in Social Inclusion through WBL
Work assistance (Arbeitsassistenz)
Overview
Work assistance was launched in 1992 as a labor market policy measure to help people with disabilities find and secure employment. The initiative is aimed at people with a disability of at least 30%, young people between the ages of 14 and 25 and adults up to retirement age.
The program helps people in need by providing advice and support to obtain and maintain employment, assistance with conflicts, clarification of career prospects and cooperation with all institutions.
Associations, networks, institutes, ... throughout Austria are involved.
The program helps people in need by providing advice and support to obtain and maintain employment, assistance with conflicts, clarification of career prospects and cooperation with all institutions.
Associations, networks, institutes, ... throughout Austria are involved.
Objectives
The main aim of this program is to help people in need (people with disabilities, young people with assistance needs) to get or keep a job.
The program works as follows: After an initial contact, an initial interview takes place. A decision is made on whether to accept the person for counseling or support or to refer them to other support measures.
During the clarification phase, the social and professional anamnesis, the development of a support goal, contact with the company and the creation of an aptitude and suitability profile take place.
Alternative options such as work training or further qualification measures can then be recommended and initiated.
Above all, work assistance offers support in obtaining a job and securing jobs that are at risk. Work assistance is also available for up to 3 months during the introduction period.
By helping people in need of assistance to find and keep work, they are helped to succeed in the world of work.
The program works as follows: After an initial contact, an initial interview takes place. A decision is made on whether to accept the person for counseling or support or to refer them to other support measures.
During the clarification phase, the social and professional anamnesis, the development of a support goal, contact with the company and the creation of an aptitude and suitability profile take place.
Alternative options such as work training or further qualification measures can then be recommended and initiated.
Above all, work assistance offers support in obtaining a job and securing jobs that are at risk. Work assistance is also available for up to 3 months during the introduction period.
By helping people in need of assistance to find and keep work, they are helped to succeed in the world of work.
Implementation
In 1992, the pilot project “Work Assistance” was launched in Austria by pro mente Upper Austria and ibi Lower Austria as a labor market policy measure with the aim of advising and actively supporting people with disabilities in obtaining and securing employment.
This advisory service was subsequently expanded and became one of the most successful occupational integration services for people with mental health problems.
The work assistance service, which is offered throughout Austria by a wide range of organizations for all forms of impairment, has also been enshrined in the Disability Employment Act since 1999.
Under the common umbrella brand “NEBA - Netzwerk berufliche Assistenz” (NEBA - Occupational Assistance Network), work assistance, together with other occupational assistance services, repre-sents an important support structure in the further development of equality law.
This advisory service was subsequently expanded and became one of the most successful occupational integration services for people with mental health problems.
The work assistance service, which is offered throughout Austria by a wide range of organizations for all forms of impairment, has also been enshrined in the Disability Employment Act since 1999.
Under the common umbrella brand “NEBA - Netzwerk berufliche Assistenz” (NEBA - Occupational Assistance Network), work assistance, together with other occupational assistance services, repre-sents an important support structure in the further development of equality law.
Innovative features
Mentoring programs for marginalized groups, Includes mentorship and support networks
Success stories
Z.: difficult social environment, learning disability, youth coaching in the last year of compulsory schooling, contact with work assistance. Concretization of career aspirations, work training, preparation of application documents. Searched for a suitable company, first internship, then integrative vocational training with support during the entire apprenticeship period.
K.: Fear of losing job, mental illness, call to work assistance. Help with finding a suitable job, now happy with new job, K. feels comfortable in the private sector for the first time.
K.: Fear of losing job, mental illness, call to work assistance. Help with finding a suitable job, now happy with new job, K. feels comfortable in the private sector for the first time.
Measured outcomes
Evaluation page 30 to page 41
Getting a job:
• 72% of respondents obtained a training place/job through work assistance
• 80% of respondents are very satisfied with the result, 17% are somewhat satisfied
Securing a job:
• 90% of respondents were able to keep their job
• 85% are very satisfied with the result, 12% are somewhat satisfied.
According to the survey, even those who did not get or keep a job are largely satisfied with the job assistance.
Getting a job:
• 72% of respondents obtained a training place/job through work assistance
• 80% of respondents are very satisfied with the result, 17% are somewhat satisfied
Securing a job:
• 90% of respondents were able to keep their job
• 85% are very satisfied with the result, 12% are somewhat satisfied.
According to the survey, even those who did not get or keep a job are largely satisfied with the job assistance.
- CountryAustria
- SectorAll sectors
- Target groupPeople at risk of poverty or social exclusion People with disabilities
Leading organisation
Launched by pro mente Upper Austria and ibi Lower Austria. 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
1992, ongoing
Key stakeholders
• NGOs and social organizations
Number of beneficiaries
1997: 3,517 people
1998: 7,997 people
1999: 9,470 people
2022: a total of 17.796 participations
2023: 10,066 (obtaining a job) + 2,740 (securing a job) people (A total of 18.286 participations)
2024: a total of 18.842 participations
1998: 7,997 people
1999: 9,470 people
2022: a total of 17.796 participations
2023: 10,066 (obtaining a job) + 2,740 (securing a job) people (A total of 18.286 participations)
2024: a total of 18.842 participations
