Voluntary work in the context of applications for apprenticeships and traineeships

Within the framework of the Austrian youth strategy, the Federal Ministry of the Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport is implementing the following youth goal:

For a long time now, there has been a wish for greater recognition and support for voluntary work via measures that enable young people to document and make use of their voluntary work and the skills they have acquired during it in occupational training and applications for work in the civil service.

The goal works between those looking for apprenticeships and those providing training within the framework of choosing a profession. The goal has been realised when – in an application – the skills obtained via voluntary work have been made visible and information about them has been provided by the applicant.

Measures for the realisation of the youth goal

The opportunity to have voluntary work recorded in the context of online applications for apprenticeships and traineeships via the job exchange of the Republic of Austria.

Voluntary work is not only of benefit to society; informal learning also contributes towards personal development and to the acquisition of skills. Particularly in the case of young people, voluntary work and the abilities thus gained ease the transition from education and training into employment. The opportunity to record voluntary work within the framework of online applications in the job exchange of the Republic of Austria is designed to support young people in recognising that their voluntary work is a qualification, and to make the abilities and knowledge which they have acquired in this way visible. In the job exchange of the Republic of Austria, relevant check boxes are available in which specific information about voluntary work which has been carried out by a young person can be entered.

A reality check has been carried out. The youth goal contributes towards the following European youth goal:

• #7 Quality Employment for All

Further information

• Reality Check
• European Youth Goals