After good experiences with training schools for young refugees, older people in Vienna now also have to go to school to learn the language, orient themselves in society and enter the working world – all at some point, depending on the city.
Since February, young refugees in Vienna have been sent to “youth colleges” by the AMS, where they acquire language and professional skills on a block basis. Now it’s the adults’ turn: “College 25+” starts on September 30. where older refugees are made fit for the labor market. When it is fully operational from January, all 1,008 available places should be occupied at all times.
“Integration does not happen automatically”
The programme lasts approximately nine months with 26 hours per week: 16 hours for education, mainly in the field of language, 5 for advice and orientation and 5 for preparation for the labour market. The components are provided by the centres for adult education (education), Caritas (advice) and Volkshilfe (work). The city will cover 60 percent of the costs of 9.7 million euros per year and the European Social Fund 40 percent. Participants receive 26.69 euros in course fees per day from the AMS – and receive this amount less in the minimum income.
The offer is intended for recognized refugees, but also for those entitled to subsidiary protection and a tenth for asylum seekers – according to city councilor for social affairs Peter Hacker, this is because “integration cannot start early enough” and Vienna is subject to the “prohibition on learning and working” under immigration law. wants to counteract something: “Integration does not happen by itself. Anyone who claims otherwise has no idea.”
The courses take place in the former WU building on Alsergrund. District leader Saya Ahmad is happy about this, because: “Refugees want to give something back to society. You just have to give them the chance to do that.”
“Few people want to roll around without meaning”
Caritas Vienna director Alexander Bodmann finds the university “unique so far” because it is “about arriving in society, but ultimately also about entering the labor market.” Vienna Volkshilfe director Tanja Wehsely also emphasizes that the university “is not a children’s course, we are asking for something!”. In any case, “few people, regardless of their nationality, like to roll through life without meaning.”
At least at the youth school, 70 percent of the candidates – currently mainly young Syrian men – immediately seize the opportunity for a training position. At the moment, the capacity here is being expanded to around 4,000 places. Hackers also foresee 2,000 to 4,000 places for the adult university. According to him, this would cover the need and the current offer could be converted into a requirement.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
