Michaela Kauer, the director of the Vienna House, welcomed the visitors and guided them through the event. In her opening speech, she emphasised the importance of social policy, particularly during periods of significant change and crisis. In her opening speech, AK President Renate Anderl also emphasised that, in a time of major upheaval in the world of work, projects are needed to provide people with opportunities for future-proof quality jobs. The Öko-Booster project addresses precisely this issue by opening up new perspectives for young people and at the same time taking responsibility for well-trained skilled workers in times of climate crisis. The EU Talent Pool cannot achieve this; rather, effective skilled worker strategies are needed.

AK project manager Elisabeth Felbermair then presented the Öko-Booster, reporting on its successes and challenges. Representatives from various sectors, ranging from the EU Commission and Parliament to interest groups, think tanks and the regional offices of German and Austrian states (Länder), took part in the event and contributed valuable insights to the subsequent discussion.

Tackling climate change with skilled workers

The Öko-Booster initiative is based on the Raus aus Gas (phasing out gas) programme, through which the City of Vienna aims to achieve a climate-neutral and emission-free heat supply by 2040. This involves replacing over half a million gas boilers with environmentally friendly, renewable heating systems, among other things, and will require a large number of electrical engineers and installation and building technicians. Meanwhile, 17,000 young adults under the age of 25 who have not completed their education and are registered with AMS Vienna as job seekers or unemployed. Around 40 per cent of these individuals have residence and labour market status as persons entitled to asylum or subsidiary protection. Access to the labour market is particularly difficult for this group.

This is where the Öko-Booster project comes in. It targets 18- to 25-year-olds with at most a compulsory school-leaving certificate who are registered with AMS Vienna. They receive training for sustainable jobs in high demand. The training programme considers their individual needs and brings their German language and basic skills up to the required level. The first training courses began in June 2023, the last ones in late 2025. Those interested were reached through multipliers, i.e. the trainers and social education workers who supervise them in AMS measures.

How does the Öko-Booster training work in detail?

In addition to dual vocational education and training, comprising (supra-)company apprenticeship training including vocational school, the Austrian system provides two options for qualifying as a skilled worker through adult education. Firstly, adults with relevant professional experience can take the final apprenticeship examination (LAP) on an exceptional basis. Alternatively, they can participate in a shortened intensive skilled worker training programme (FIA) without prior knowledge and also take the LAP on an exceptional basis. The Öko-Booster project is based on the FIA and expands it with a preliminary module. This lasts six months. In order to compensate for inequalities in educational attainment and close knowledge gaps, German language and basic skills are taught in small groups of 15 people in a job-specific and practice-oriented setting. In addition, topics such as tool knowledge, safety measures and metalworking are covered, taking the first steps towards vocational training. This is followed by the intensive skilled worker training. Participants can choose between the fields of electrical and building technology or installation and building technology.

Participants have access to comprehensive support throughout the training period. This includes socio-educational support for social and financial issues, among others. The focus is also on strengthening group cohesion. Excursions and workshops on subject-specific and other topics, such as democracy and financial education, are also offered. Participants can also take advantage of psychosocial counselling services if necessary. This support structure is designed to provide extensive assistance to participants, many of whom have experienced precarious living situations or psychological distress.

The Öko-Booster as a model for future initiatives

At the end of her presentation, Felbermair showed a film in which the participants shared their thoughts, and their enthusiasm was clear to see. During the subsequent discussion, the project's potential as a model for future initiatives was a particular focus. According to Felbermair, it is important to apply the insights gained to other projects. The Öko-Booster has the potential to provide a groundbreaking impetus for similar initiatives beyond Vienna's borders. The obstacles and difficulties that arose during the project were also discussed. Employers are somewhat sceptical of skilled workers who have not been trained in their own company. At the same time, many companies are reluctant to fund the training themselves.

In general, achieving planning certainty is problematic in times of increasing austerity measures due to a lack of public funds. At the European level, possible solutions could be found within the framework of the European Semester or at the European Investment Bank (EIB). Cities and municipal enterprises could also be more closely involved in relevant projects. The social costs of inaction were also emphasised: investment in adult education, especially for young adults, certainly pay off in the long term.

Further information:

Vienna Employment Promotion Fund: Öko-Booster – Change the world as a climate hero! (German only)
erwachsenenbildung.at: Addressing the shortage of skilled workers with Eco-Booster (German only)
AK EUROPA: Union of Skills. EU initiative for skills development needs a right to training
Elisabeth Felbermair/Gabriele Schmid: Öko-Booster – Young people with a migrant background become skilled workers for the energy transition (German only)
Patricia Lorenzo/Sander Heinsalu/Tania Fernandez Navia: The Returns to Investing in Education
Michael Kalinowski: Young adults without vocational qualifications – untapped skilled worker potential? (German only)
STATISTICS AUSTRIA: Education in figures 2023/2024 (German only)