Costs half a billion

Too expensive, too inefficient: dispute over reforms

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

Continuing education for workers costs half a billion. The system is misguided, it is criticized. The government is divided over changes.

Educational leave costs the state 512 million euros. In other words, the taxpayer. That was in 2023. The sums have exploded in recent years. The demand is enormous, almost everything is granted. As a computer scientist, you would have to apply for a diving course in the Seychelles or yoga training in India to be rejected, says Carmen Treml smugly. The economist was involved in a corresponding study by Agenda Austria, which highlighted the undesirable developments - the "Krone" reported. And she calls for reforms to the overpriced and inefficient model. There have already been reforms, but according to Agenda, they only served to make access easier.

"The requirements for type, duration and traceability must be revised. In future, it should be a condition that the measure at least complements or expands the recipient's labor market skills," says economist Treml. There also needs to be a central administrative office for uniform legal applications, for example. At present, responsibility for this lies with the AMS regional offices.

Minister with reform plan, Greens against it
The agenda continues to pass the ball to the government. Only it could initiate reforms or legislative changes. Economics and Labour Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) recognized a certain need for adaptation some time ago and has been thinking out loud about it. What does he say in view of the current figures?

"The Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs has held talks with the social partners and developed a common understanding of reform options that have been put to the Greens. It is now up to the coalition partner to evaluate these", the ÖVP politician continues to let the ball roll. Once there, social spokesperson Markus Koza answers in no uncertain terms. "Educational leave is a popular and successful measure. We are not available for 'reforms' that are actually aimed at cutting benefits."

Nice transition and "golden handshake"
 Originally intended for the less well-educated, it is mainly the well-educated who take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a kind of "sabbatical at the state's expense". Educational leave is also a blessing for employers. Particularly in difficult economic times, employers can save on personnel costs without having to lay off staff. The state and the AMS are happy to finance it. Up to a maximum of one year. A new application can be made after four years.

There is a further training allowance to compensate for the loss of income - the employer does not have to make a contribution. The amount of the money corresponds to the notional unemployment benefit, i.e. 55 percent of the last average monthly net income. 

Agenda economist Carmen Treml suspects that it is not uncommon for educational leave to be used as a nice transition to a subsequent amicable dismissal. "Thanks to the 'golden handshake', the employment remains in place for a few more months without there still being an active employment relationship. Both sides benefit."

Conclusion: educational leave is well-intentioned, but poorly implemented. "I'll be off for a while" might not be quite so easy in the foreseeable future.