Cap4App

Strengthening the Capacities of the Chambers and

Partners to Help SMNEs to Engage in

Apprenticeship

CLOSING CONFERENCE

11 September 2018

Melina Schneider

Head of Taskforce for the Internationalization of VET

Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ)

We represent the interests of business

The Austrian Economic Chambers represent

more than 500,000 member companies

in the Austrian economy.

Business People

Representative body

The Austrian Economic Chamber Organisation (WKO)

• represents the interest of its members, the Austrian businesses

• almost 500,000 member companies

• provide comprehensive services

e.g. ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, the Foreign Trade Promotion Organisation with over 110

offices in more than 70 countries

• impart knowledge through educational facilities

e.g. Institute for Economic Promotion (WIFI), universities of applied sciences, etc.

• Seven Industry Sectors

Crafts and Trades IndustryCommerce

Transport and Communications Information and ConsultingTourism and Leisure

Contribution to improving the competitive ability of the Austrian companies

Banking and Insurance

The Chambers of Commerce were established by the Austrian

legislature to safeguard the interests of people in business in Austria.

>> Statutory Representation of Professional Interests

Background: Austria’s system of Social Partnership

Employer

Austrian Chamber

of Agriculture

Austrian Federal

Economic

Chamber

Chambers of Commerce Chambers of Agriculture

Employee

Austrian Federation

of Trade UnionsFederal Chamber of

Labour

Chamber of Labour Industrial Trade

Unions

(Association)

Established by law

Responsibilities and tasks of the

Austrian Economic Chambers in dual VET

The Chambers of Commerce have additional roles, in

which they act as an authority "on behalf of the state"

(transferred field of action)

>> when carrying out these duties they are bound by written

instructions from the relevant Federal Minister

Certification as master craftsman

Apprenticeships

Responsibilities and tasks of the

Austrian Economic Chambers in dual VET

Organisational implementation of apprenticeship training

(e.g. apprenticeship exam)

The initiative for the introduction of new apprenticeships

and further development of existing apprenticeships

often come from companies via Social Partners.

Social Partners also submit opinions

on draft training regulations

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

over 110 offices in more than 70 countries

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA has a network of 76 Trade Commissions, 36 Marketing Offices,and 35 Independent Business Consultants. So wherever your business takes you, you’ll find ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is within easy reach.

http://www.advantageaustria.org

Web presence of WKO

http://wko.at

WKO invites Austrian business

to navigate its way to success

Taskforce for internationalization

of dual vocational education and training

Services and support measures for Austrian companies abroad to getskilled workforce (transfer of dual vocational education and training)

Educational policy measures for skilled workers in Austria (e.g. ibw skills monitor, apprentices with migrant background)

Specific (dual) vocational training measures in Africa to lower thepressure due to migration

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber as an international competent body for dual vocational education and training

7 Success factors for transferrability

„ownership by companies and social partners“

governance und finance

Successful

apprenticeship

„professions are more than jobs“

vocational principle - holistic notion of competence

„business case“

return of investment for companies

„quality as a shared responsibility“

mechanisms for quality assurance

„responsiveness to changing requirements“

mechanisms of adjustments

„apprenticeship as an attractive VET route“

demand by young people

„lean administration and clear and transparent

processes“

administration und implementation

Pilot projects

Objective: Implementation of the main characteristics of the dual

vocational training within the existing legal framework

Increase of the share of practical training

Apprenticeship remuneration

Qualified-trainer in the company

Basic equipment (depending on the respective apprenticeship)

Recruiting of students, apprenticeship contract with the company

and at the same time students of the vocational school

Adaptation of the curriculum based on the needs of the company

Final apprenticeship exam prepared and carried out by experts

Dual vocational training – main characteristics

Selection of apprentices by companies

Adaptation of the curriculum due to company needs

Remuneration for the apprentice

2 learning environments

Training Contract with the company: at the same time student of a

part- time vocational school

Apprenticeship-leave examination, held by experts of the practice

Austrian System abroad: successful export

• Slovakia: Project „Young Stars!“ Introduction of the Austrian model of dual training in

Slovakia by initiative and active participation of Austrian companies

• Professions: Metal workers, metal technicians, mechatronics

• Degrees: Slovak apprenticeship degree, Slovak school leaving certificate

• Similar projects also in P.R. China, Bulgaria and Romania,

Serbia (with ADA)

• Erasmus+ projects with: EUROCHAMBRES within a large scale

European project implemented in 12 countries

• Further Erasmus+ projects with Croatia, Spain and others

Dual education

14

Company excursion to attract new

apprentices at company ZKW Slovakia

Incoming Mission Dual

Education Romania

Dual education

15

Project visit, Shanghai

Informing about dual education,

Plovdiv

European Framework for Quality and Effective

Apprenticeships (EFQEA)

At European level…

European Framework for Quality

and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA)

European Framework for Quality

and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA)

Joint analysis of the actual status of apprenticeship in Croatia at project launch and

of potentials which can be opened up by the project

Tailor-made study visit in Austria

to promote transfer of knowledge and experience of the Austrian dual VET system to Croatia

in specific to train experts from project partners to become apprenticeship advisors

Training of a team of apprenticeship advisors for SMEs to help SMEs in legal, administrative and

logistical issues with apprentices

Development of a number of project deliverables together with project partners, especially:

• Toolbox for apprenticeship advisors

• Criteria for SMEs

• Guidebook for SME mentors

• Proposal of a programme for mentors and a curriculum for implementation

Promotional activities, closing conference, recommendations for future

Pilot project with the Austrian foreign trade office on Zagreb started during

the project term and to be continued beyond the end of the Cap4App project

Cap4App:Tasks of WKÖ and ibw

Preparation of a clear roadmap with the most important

steps to introduce the dual vocational training

• Useful due to the complexity of the VET reform agenda

• Highlighting of the various reform steps possible

• Prioritization, time and narrative schedule

Overall coherency in key elements of organising dual VET

would increase clarity for companies

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖIN GENERAL

1. Involve the employer side as a competent stakeholder

The employers’ organizations of Croatia, the Chamber of Crafts and Trades (HOK) and the Chamber of Economy (HGK), have to play a more pronounced and active role as important stakeholders in the governance of dual vocational training

• employers have best information on demand of qualifications and competences needed

• for dual VET-formats they are important partners of schools

Essential to bring employers in, not only as providers of training opportunities, but also generally they need to get an institutional voice in the IVET-governance process to better bring in information on ...

• current labour market qualification demand (and therefore theyhave to have a say in the design of vocational/occupationalprofiles, learning outcomes and curricula)

• the prerequisites needed for companies to benefit fromtraining students

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 1

2. Representation of the ownership of the companies

of dual VET by both Chambers

The Chamber of Crafts and Trades and the Chamber of Economy

have to speak with one voice!

• 3 steps to promote this approach:

both Chambers have to come to a common understanding with respect to

goals, formats and procedures for apprenticeship

both Chambers have to agree on a procedure of how they will share future

responsibilities as well as how they will provide service to companies (on a

one-stop-shop principle)

in both Chambers, institutional capacities of

employer-representatives in dealing with IVET

should be raised

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 2

• In the long-term, the Chambers should act on delegated

authority from the responsible ministry, regulated by law

• This guarantees that ownership of the companies of the dual

vocation training is represented through the employers’

organisations

• (Regional) Chambers tasks would be:

Accreditation and registration of training companies

Approval and registration of apprenticeship contracts

Organisation of examinations (the examination boards

consist of representatives of the social partners)

Awarding of the qualification

Administration of financial incentives for training companies

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 2 CONTINUATION

3. Both chambers (HOK and HGK) should offer support measures for

the training companies

• Companies interested in training will need a lot of support and assistance

• Therefore, chambers should offer support, e.g.

at least one apprenticeship advisor in each regional Chamber (local capacity building for all

regions)

both Chambers offer the examination of the in-company mentor training and can offer

preparatory courses for the examination

PR-measures to raise the image of apprenticeship training (events, info-folders, parent-

teacher-conference, out-reach activities, …)

Support in building cooperation between companies and schools (manuals for company visits,

internships & work-based learning in alternance settings; matching tools for companies and

schools interested in starting cooperation ...)

Supporting materials (draft apprenticeship contract, guidebook for the

apprenticeship advisors, recruiting checklists, training guidelines, material

of how to foster company training, (online-) instruments for IVET orientation

and personal career guidance; web platforms for instructors, options for

experience sharing among instructors …)

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 3

For companies interested in providing training, it is important thatthe same administrative regulations and procedures apply

irrespective whether the service is provided by HGK or HOK!

• As long as Chambers will not be delegated authority, they could offer these support measures for companies on a voluntary base

• CCE has already worked out information material, training curricula for mentors, guidelines for them etc. which could be the starting point for tools and instruments to inform and support training companies

• Additionally, CCE has already built up capacity fordual VET by providing training for their staff tobecome apprenticeship adviser throughout theirregional chamber network

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 3 CONTINUATION

4. Mainpoints to be considered for a new legislative framework:

clarify dual VET-formats and modes of cooperation between schools and companies

clarify and enlarge the range of occupations for dual VET

clarify minimum criteria (esp. for companies) to provide dual VET

clarify qualification needed to become a mentor for dual VET

clarify the status of the apprentice (student) during company training

clarify placement procedures of students for company training

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 4

5. Considering/reconsidering public support

Consider sustainability with respect to ways, means and goals of

public support for dual VET

• after EU-funds will have come to an end

Derive basic ideas for design of public support from countries with

well-established dual systems

2 Aspects:

• self-interest of companies to train (core dimension)

• Only marginal share of public financial subsidies

Public financial subsidies should be limited and designed

carefully, not to distort the self-interest of the companies

in training their future skilled work-force.

Cap4App: Perspectives andRecommendations by ibw and WKÖKEY MILESTONES / MILESTONE 5

European Vocational Skills Week

Contact:Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Vienna

Taskforce Internationalization of VET

Melina Schneider

T: +43 5 90 900 4071

E: melina.schneider@wko.at

07.03.2018