Austria apprenticeship numbers decline amid regional shortages

The number of apprentices in Austria has declined again this year, according to data from the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ). As of the end of September, the total number of apprentices in training companies fell by 4.3 percent to 95,000, with a particularly strong decline noted in the industrial sector.

In contrast, inter-company vocational training (ÜBA) saw an increase of 5 percent, reaching nearly 6,000 trainees. Among those starting apprenticeships this year, the shift toward inter-company training was even more pronounced, with new starters in this category rising by 7.4 percent while those starting in traditional companies fell by 4.8 percent.

The rise in inter-company training is partly attributed to a shortage of apprenticeship positions in Vienna and eastern Austria. In Vienna alone, there are 5,163 more applicants than available positions, whereas regions like Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Carinthia report a surplus of approximately 3,800 positions over applicants.

Additionally, data shows an increasing interest among young women in technical trades, with metal technology rising into the top 10 most popular apprenticeships for girls.