Weak economy

Number of unemployed skyrockets

Bernhard Bereuter, Managing Director of the AMS, continues to focus on qualification and further training.

(Bild: lisamathis.at)

The number of unemployed rose by a whopping 10.5 percent compared to October 2023. 967 more people, 601 men and 366 women, are looking for a job compared to the previous year. A total of 10,202 people from Vorarlberg are affected by unemployment.  

The reason for the increase in unemployment figures is the prolonged economic downturn. There has been an increase in all age groups. "Young people under the age of 25 have been hit particularly hard by the unfavorable economic development," says AMS Regional Managing Director Bernhard Bereuter. At 21%, the increase in this group is well above average. 

Exactly 1578 young men and women under the age of 25 are currently registered with AMS Vorarlberg. "A shorter period of employment increases the risk of job loss and a lack of professional experience makes it more difficult to enter working life, especially in times of declining demand for personnel," says Bereuter, explaining the reasons.  

The aim is to complete an apprenticeship
The head of the AMS wants to respond with tried and tested means - training, qualification and support offers. "This allows us to respond specifically to the needs of young people in order to increase their chances on the job market." The focus is particularly on programs that lead to an apprenticeship qualification. 

The training center, where 13 apprenticeships can be learned, has proven its worth. "There are 130 places in total. As of September 2, 84 young people who were unable to find an apprenticeship on the open market started an apprenticeship. A further 32 young people are getting a taste of it," says Bereuter, explaining the concept. The trainees are allowed to stay at the center until they have found a regular job.  

Better qualifications
Of all the unemployed, 4823 people (47.3 percent) have a compulsory school-leaving qualification as their highest level of education. Here, too, Bereuter wants to use training and further education programs to ensure that better qualifications - here, too, the goal is apprenticeship and training qualifications - lead to a new employment relationship. 

"For some, it's also about acquiring additional qualifications within their industry. We have fitters who are learning new welding techniques. People in the commercial sector who need knowledge of cost or payroll accounting." Others are supported in switching to completely new sectors with future prospects - for example, switching to the healthcare sector.  

Affected sectors
In terms of occupational groups, the number of job seekers has risen above all in the trade professions (178), unskilled professions (163), tourism professions (160), metal and electrical professions (134) and construction professions (47). 

With the exception of unskilled and tourism occupations, all are dependent on the economy. "I assume that this will soon pick up again and that this will have a delayed effect on the labor market," says Bereuter, making a positive forecast. As far as the tourism professions are concerned, things will pick up again with the start of the winter season.