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1. Programmes for vulnerable young people

2. Funding

3. Quality assurance

Programmes for vulnerable young people

Several high-level programmes in Austria are specifically designed to support vulnerable young people, including those with disabilities, learning difficulties, or social challenges. These initiatives operate at national and provincial levels, with youth work organised primarily through provincial youth departments. The main objectives of these programmes are to improve educational and employment opportunities, promote social inclusion and enhance the overall well-being of young people.

Education until 18 (AusBildung bis 18) 

Introduced in 2016, Austria’s compulsory education and training programme requires all young people to continue in education or vocational training from the end of their nine years of compulsory schooling until their 18th birthday. This initiative aims to improve educational attainment, reduce early school-leaving (particularly among migrants) and strengthen young people’s prospects in the labour market, thereby reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion. The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs is leading the programme in close cooperation with other ministries, provincial authorities, social partners and stakeholders. Schools, the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS) and apprenticeship offices provide regular reports to support implementation, while dedicated coordination offices and advisory services offer ongoing guidance to young people and their families.

'Fit for Work until 25' (‘Arbeitsfähig bis 25’, AF25)

The initiative ‘Fit for work until 25’ (AF25), launched by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs on 1 January 2024, aims to integrate young people with disabilities or limited work capacity into education and employment until the age of 25, promoting their full participation in society. A key change is that the mandatory incapacity assessment for individuals under the age of 25 is no longer applicable. Instead, young people with disabilities are generally considered capable of work and training, unless they request otherwise. A voluntary youth coaching service (see below) helps them to determine whether pursuing education or employment is suitable for them, or whether alternative day-structuring measures would be more appropriate. The service supports eligible young people and their families by identifying their individual strengths, perspectives, and pathways. It also guides them through the services offered by the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS), the Social Affairs Ministry Service (SMS) and the federal provinces. The overarching goal of this programme is to enhance integration, support labour market participation, and contribute to the social and financial security of young people with disabilities.

‘Fit for Training’ (AusbildungsFit) 

Formerly known as production schools until 2020, this is a nationwide, one-year programme in Austria that helps young people, especially those with disabilities, special educational needs, or learning or social difficulties, gain the essential basic and specialist skills needed for further education or apprenticeship training. Building on youth coaching, the programme focuses on developing social competencies, practical abilities and cultural techniques for those who missed out on these during their schooling. The programme is open to young people up to the age of 21 (or 24 for those with disabilities) and aims to support them in re-entering vocational training and ultimately participating successfully in the Austrian labour market. 

Youth Coaching (Jugendcoaching) 

This nationwide Austrian support programme helps young people transition from school to work by offering personalised guidance, counselling and case management to support them in finding suitable educational or vocational pathways. The programme targets young people who have dropped out of school or other training programmes, those at risk of leaving school without a qualification, and young people with disabilities or special educational needs. By providing personalised support packages and collaborating closely with schools and youth services, Youth Coaching aims to empower participants, prevent social exclusion, and prepare them for further training or integration into the labour market. 

Vocational training assistance (Berufsausbildungsassistenz) and Work assistance (Arbeitsassistenz)

The nationwide support programme in Austria for young people with disabilities or significant barriers to employment. It helps them to complete vocational training by offering extended apprenticeships or partial qualifications when a regular apprenticeship is not feasible. Throughout the entire training period, the service provides comprehensive guidance, including creating individual training plans, supporting in-company and school-based learning, assisting with workplace or school challenges, and preparing for final exams. The programme targets young people aged 15 and over who have special educational needs, disabilities, have not completed lower secondary school, or face other significant barriers to entering vocational training. The programme is free of charge and is coordinated by the Social Ministry Service within the NEBA network (Netzwerk Berufliche Assistenz). It is delivered by regional organisations in close cooperation with employers, vocational schools and job coaches, as required.

German Support Classes and Courses (Deutschförderklassen und Deutschförderkurse)

Introduced nationwide in 2018/19, these programmes provide intensive German language instruction for students who lack the necessary German skills to follow regular lessons. Placement in these programmes is determined by the standardised MIKA-D assessment, which evaluates language competence at primary and secondary levels. Support can last up to four semesters, with regular progress checks and the possibility of earlier reassignment if significant improvement is observed. The curriculum is tailored to students’ needs and aims to enable their swift and successful integration into mainstream classes. 

Inclusive schooling (Integrative schulische Ausbildung) 

Social inclusion of vulnerable young people, especially those with disabilities or special educational needs, is a central goal of education policy across all Austrian provinces, anchored in the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Each province implements a variety of programmes to enable children and young people with diverse needs to participate fully in education and social life. This includes integrated and inclusive schooling options at all compulsory levels (primary, lower secondary and polytechnic), where pupils with and without special educational needs are taught together using differentiated teaching methods, personalised learning plans and team teaching with additional support staff. Provinces also facilitate the choice between inclusive settings and special schools, depending on individual needs and parental preference. Teacher training in special and inclusive pedagogy, regional support structures and participatory strategies – such as regular dialogue with stakeholders – are in place to continuously improve quality and accessibility. Provinces also facilitate the transition from school to work or vocational training by incorporating career guidance into various subjects and focusing on student’s personal experiences. In Vorarlberg, for instance, methods such as role-playing, project-based learning and practical activities help students to develop the necessary skills, realistic job expectations and self-competence to prepare them for a successful entry into the workforce (Inklusive Berufsorientierung Vorarlberg). 

Integrative Vocational Training (Integrative Lehrausbildung) 

This specialised programme is designed to support vulnerable young people, particularly those with disabilities or significant learning difficulties, who are unable to complete a standard apprenticeship. The programme offers two flexible training models: an extended apprenticeship providing additional time and support to complete the full vocational qualification; and a partial qualification focusing on specific occupational skills tailored to individual abilities (Verlängerte Lehrzeit oder Teilqualifizierung). The programme is free and includes counselling and placement services. It also provides financial support in the form of training allowances. Established under the Austrian Vocational Training Act, the programme involves cooperation between federal ministries, social organisations, accredited training providers and integrative employers. This ensures that disadvantaged young people gain meaningful vocational qualifications and improve their chances of successful labour market integration.

Family allowance and free, quality public education

To combat the long-term disadvantaged faced by children and young people from households at risk of poverty, as well as disadvantaged educational opportunities and outcomes that often accompany such situations, Austrian education policy has focused heavily on this target group. The family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) has increased in recent years. The amount is staggered by age: a monthly payment of €171.80 is disbursed for children aged 10 to 18, and for young adults aged 19 to 24 in ongoing education (e.g. university studies) it amounts to €200.40. Families with more than one child receive increased payment through sibling adjustments. High-quality public schools and universities are accessible and tuition-free. Furthermore, study grants (Studienbeihilfen) are available to students if they or their parents cannot cover their living expenses during their studies.

Youth Work

Social inclusion is a key priority in youth work in Austria and is actively supported by both the Austrian Youth Council and the national umbrella organisation for open youth work. As such, it is addressed in detail in Chapter 4.7 as well as Chapter 10.

Funding

As social inclusion in Austria is embedded in various programmes across different sectors, such as education, the labour market and disability support, there is no single budget line dedicated exclusively to youth inclusion. Nevertheless, substantial public funds contribute to measures that benefit vulnerable young people.

• According to Statistik Austria, for example, in 2024, Austria spent €1 060.9 million on child and youth welfare, including educational assistance and support for young adults. This represented a 17% increase on the previous year. Around 75% of this funding was allocated to education, with the remainder going towards educational and social support.

• In 2023, the Ministry of Social Affairs allocated €283.4 million (from national and ESF funds) to promote labour market participation among people with disabilities (including young people) by providing regional and personalised support services.

  An additional €38.2 million from the labour market budget was allocated to compulsory training programmes (Federal Ministry of Social Affairs 2023:13f.).

• Under the ESF+ 2021–2027 programme, Austria is set to receive €409 million, with funding prioritised for active inclusion, fighting poverty and supporting young people during their transition from school to work, as well as improving access to lifelong learning.

Quality assurance

The quality assurance (QA) in Austria's social inclusion programmes for young people varies depending on the initiative/programme and is thus implemented at multiple levels. Each responsible authority oversees QA within its area. Practices include continuous quality development through self-evaluation, supervision, participant feedback and formal evaluation tools. In addition, providers regularly engage in internal reflection and professional exchange, while higher-level bodies carry out periodic oversight to ensure programme quality and effectiveness.

Education until 18 (AusBildung bis 18) 

Quality assurance for the 'AusBildung bis 18' programme is ensured through a comprehensive monitoring system coordinated by the Federal Coordination Office (BundesKOST), which supports the Social Ministry Service (SMS) in implementing the initiative. At the core of this system is the Monitoring AusBildung bis 18 (MAB) database, which was developed for the SMS and manages data and provides administrative support for young people who are subject to compulsory education under the programme. The database records those who do not fulfil their compulsory education requirements, and regional AusBildung bis 18 coordination centres and Youth Coaching services track their progress, entering all relevant data into the MAB system.

The Federal Coordination Office (BundesKOST) regularly analyses this data for quality assurance and impact monitoring purposes, providing insights at regional and national levels. Key findings are published quarterly in standardised reports for professionals. Additionally, the annual MAB datasheet (latest edition: 2024, in German) offers detailed statistical insights, including the number of young people supported due to non-compliance, their educational backgrounds, the frequency of support interactions and the outcomes of these interventions.

Youth Coaching (Jugendcoaching) 

Quality assurance in Austria’s Youth Coaching system is implemented at multiple levels. At the provider level (see providers in 2025, German), the focus is on the quality of direct service delivery. At institutional levels, the focus is on broader structural and policy conditions. Most providers conduct quality assurance measures at least once a year, with many doing so monthly or even so more frequently (see Research Report 2021, in German). Over half of the providers actively engage in supervision and professional networking, both internally and with external partners, while almost all regularly reflect internally on their services. Around one-third of providers exceed standard requirements by collecting participant feedback monthly. Although Coach training and institutional oversight visits (by bodies such as the Social Ministry Service and KOST) are less frequent, they remain essential. Internal reflection remains a cornerstone of quality assurance, embedded in daily practice and informed by external contributions. Additional support from other organisation further strengthens quality processes. Providers also contribute structured feedback to the system through instruments such as the ‘Lückenbericht’ (gap report), which identifies missing services and helps to guide ongoing programme improvements. 

Vocational training assistance (Berufsausbildungsassistenz)

This programme is supported by a tailored quality assurance system designed to guide and continuously develop its implementation in line with defined objectives. Core components include the definition and ongoing monitoring of quality standards, adherence to key process steps (such as setting target agreements, reporting, observing processing times, and entering data into MBI and WABA). MBI (Reporting and Monitoring Information System) collects personal data on young participants, while WABA (Impact and Activity Monitoring of Vocational Education and Training) documents non-personal data on outcomes and activities. Additional measures include the regular collection of participant feedback—such as standardised surveys conducted after completion of support—and the specification and monitoring of outcome indicators and target achievement rates.