Apprenticeship grant, awareness raising and a new formulation: According to Klaus Schuchter, many adjustments are needed to take apprenticeship to a new level. In an interview with “Krone”, the specialist coordinator sees Tyrol on the right track.
„Crown“: Mr. Schuchter, how are the preparations going for the next apprentice fair?
Klaus Schuchter: We’re already there. The next one should be in January 2024. This is ideal from the moment before the semester break, because one or the other decision may not have been made yet. We always want dates in January, provided there is also the political will.
How satisfied are you with the new state government in terms of education?
I can really say that the cooperation is very good. Everyone is aware that different measures are needed. The people involved have changed, but the intention to do something for the specialists is there.
At the end of October 2021, we had 4.4 percent more students in the first year than in 2021. A long-term trend?
I think there will be one. You can also see this at the federal level: a lot is being done to improve the image of specialist apprenticeships.
Is enough being done or is more needed?
Of course it’s never enough for me. What could possibly be improved: Every company, every institution, every part of the social partnership is doing big, good things. If you were to make a channeled, special page for that, you could make it a lot easier for the user. I also don’t think we have an image problem in education. But the realization that it is not the last alternative is lacking.
Has equality of education been achieved?
I don’t think that’s the solution. We need to stop this competitive thinking between academic education and vocational, manual education. It takes both. But this awareness-raising doesn’t happen overnight.
Apprentice Coordinator David Narr recently suggested using new terms around apprenticeships in an interview with Krone. Can this help?
The wording is one of many things and will certainly bring something. A final internship exam is not a bad title. But if you could take a vocational exam and you do not receive an apprenticeship certificate, but your vocational diploma – which is nothing else in terms of content – then I am firmly convinced that this will yield results in the long term.
Will anything be done about this in the near future?
Tyrol cannot decide that alone, so the Ministry of Economic Affairs must be given a different name. But I do believe that these calls will be heard. Whether they will eventually be implemented is a political story. But as I know Tyrol with its stubbornness, with the emphasis we can put, I believe we can change something.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
