Your Options
Make something great out of yourself.
Too many options can sometimes be overwhelming.
The regional coordination offices for education up to age 18 are here to help you:
You can fulfill your compulsory education requirement through the following options:
①
School Visit
Let's keep going! After completing the nine years of compulsory schooling, you can attend a secondary school.
There are a few types of these
General Education High Schools (AHS)
Here, you'll gain a broad general education. With your diploma— the Matura —you can go on to college.
Vocational Middle Schools (BMS)
Depending on its duration, a BMS provides you with either a completed vocational training program or vocational preparation. A BMS can last from one to four years.
Vocational High Schools (BhS)
A BHS combines a general education with vocational training. After five years, you’ll graduate with the Matura and can either enter the workforce right away or continue your studies.
Other Types of Schools
- Schools with specialized programs are specific types of regular schools. Examples include evening schools, remedial schools, music schools, and sports schools.
- Private schools are also a special type of school. They can offer the same types of schools (AHS/BMS/BHS) as public schools.
- Agricultural and forestry schools are vocational schools that vary in duration. Depending on the school, you can earn a vocational certificate or graduate with a high school diploma.
In the school guide, you can find out what schools are available in your area.
②
Teacher Training
After completing nine years of compulsory schooling, you can begin an apprenticeship. As part of your apprenticeship, you’ll complete your practical training at a company or in a training workshop, while studying the theory at a vocational school at the same time. This is known as the dual system. Depending on the trade, the apprenticeship lasts two to four years. You’ll receive an apprentice’s wage during your training.
For example, you can get an overview of the wide range of more than 200 apprenticeship programs using the AMS Apprenticeship Compass.
Special Opportunities During an Apprenticeship
Inter-company Apprenticeship Training
Do you want to do an apprenticeship but can't find a company that will take you on?
Then there’s a solution for you: inter-company apprenticeship training. This means you don’t complete your apprenticeship at a company, but rather at a specialized training facility. In some inter-company apprenticeship programs, you can even complete your entire apprenticeship there. As with a company-based apprenticeship, you’ll attend vocational school and receive a training allowance. The AMS assigns the apprenticeship positions.
Extended Apprenticeship
An extended apprenticeship simply means that you receive a little more time and support than in a standard apprenticeship. This usually involves one or two additional years.
This type of apprenticeship is designed for young people who have limitations, such as learning difficulties. An extended apprenticeship is available both in a company and as part of an inter-company training program.
Partial qualification
This type of training is intended for young people who have certain limitations, such as learning difficulties. In a partial qualification program, you’ll learn selected aspects of a trade. You’ll specify which ones in your training contract. After passing a final exam, you’ll receive a recognized certificate for the partial qualification.
You can find more information about extended apprenticeships and partial qualifications on the WKO website.
③
Training for Health and Social Care Professions
In the health and social services sector, there are many different training programs available to you. Most combine classroom instruction with hands-on training. This means you’ll study at a school or in a training program while also gaining practical experience—for example, in a hospital, with an emergency medical service, or at a social services agency. The exact structure of the training program depends on the profession. The requirements, duration, and certification may also vary.
List of All Training Programs
- Schools for Health and Nursing
- Training Program for the Higher Civil Service in Health and Nursing Care
- Training Programs for Nursing Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants
- Training to Become a Surgical Technician
- Training programs for surgical technician assistants at institutions that offer specialized training in surgical nursing
- Courses or schools for medical support professions
- Medical Assistant
- Disinfection Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Laboratory Assistant
- Autopsy Assistance
- Surgical Assistance
- Medical Assistant
- X-ray Technician Assistant
- Surgical Assistant
- Training Programs for Nursing Assistant Certification
- Dental Assistant Training Courses
- Training Programs for Medical Massage Therapists
- Training Programs for Certified Therapeutic Massage Therapists
- Training Programs to Become a Paramedic
- Training Programs for Emergency Medical Technicians
- Courses or schools for Social Services Professions
- Certified Social Worker (female) or Certified Social Worker (male)
- Certified Social Worker
- Home Care Aide (female or male)
If you're interested in learning more about an apprenticeship, you can check the AMS Apprenticeship Guide to see what requirements you need to meet and where the program is offered.
④
Additional educational or training programs
External Exams and Preparatory Courses
By taking an external high school exam, you can earn a high school diploma or complete a grade level without attending school regularly. For example, if you take a preparatory course for the compulsory education diploma or another course that prepares you for a specific vocational program, you will have fulfilled your compulsory education requirement.
Vocational training programs with lesson plans and mandatory attendance
You can also enroll in an accredited course that prepares you for high school or vocational training. To do so, you must have a career planning or support plan from the Youth Coaching program or the AMS that states that this program is appropriate for you. Attendance is mandatory for this course.
Attending School or Pursuing Vocational Training Abroad
Under certain conditions, you can also fulfill your compulsory education requirement by attending school or pursuing vocational training abroad. If your primary residence remains in Austria, the compulsory education requirement still applies to you. It is therefore important that your school or vocational training program be equivalent—that is, just as good as an Austrian program. After all, you shouldn’t be at a disadvantage for completing your education abroad.
⑤
Support Services and Preparatory Measures
If you’re still unsure, feeling overwhelmed right now, or don’t know what to do next, help is available.
You or your legal guardian can contact KOST, your regional coordination office for education up to age 18. It’s the first place to turn to figure out what to do next.
KOST will then refer you to youth counseling or the Public Employment Service (AMS). There, you’ll work together to create a plan for your future or a support plan. Through this process, you’ll figure out which school, vocational training program, or apprenticeship is the best fit for you and what can help you in your search.
The following options are available to you if they have been coordinated with the AMS or the Social Ministry Service (SMS) and are part of your career development or support plan.
Additional Options
- Participation in programs or counseling services offered by the Social Ministry Service (SMS / Youth Coaching)
- Participation in programs or counseling services offered by the Public Employment Service (AMS)
- Language courses for teenagers who need special support in learning German
- Programs for youth with special needs, aimed at integrating them into educational or vocational training programs or into the workforce
- Programs and initiatives offered by extracurricular youth organizations, state governments, or other projects aimed at integrating young people into training and educational programs
#Here you'll find a list of all the options and general information in PDF format.
