Upper Austria sees sharp decline in apprenticeship firms, warning of skill shortage

The number of apprentices in Upper Austria has fallen dramatically, from over 34,000 in 1981 to about 21,000 last year. A recent IMAS survey for the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce identified three main reasons why young people still choose apprenticeships: personal interest and aptitude, the prospect of earning money quickly, and a desire to leave school.

At the same time, the region recorded the largest absolute drop of apprenticeship firms in Austria, losing 202 establishments – a 4.1% decline and the steepest loss among the states. The overall national count of training firms fell from 26,237 to 25,168 within a year. Politicians Manfred Haimbuchner (FPÖ) and MP Michael Fürtbauer blamed the federal government's budget cuts for aggravating the shortage, calling for lower labor costs, reduced bureaucracy, and reliable support for small and medium‑sized enterprises that train apprentices.

Chamber President Doris Hummer emphasized that vocational training remains a key factor for securing skilled workers, competitiveness, and the region's economic future.