Skill shortages in Vienna

The Vienna Government Programme 2020 focuses on the deve­lo­p­ment of stra­te­gies and measures to secure the supply of skilled labour. In close coope­ra­ti­on with the most important stake­hol­ders of the City of Vienna, the social partners and the PES, the Vienna Employment Promotion Fund (waff) prepares to establish a spe­cia­list centre. As part of the pre­pa­ra­to­ry work, the basis for a Viennese expert report on skill demands, a struc­tu­red pre­sen­ta­ti­on of the central fields of action and a map of measures are planned.

To provide an overview on the central fields of action, a handbook was com­mis­sio­ned to develop a struc­tu­red framework for the pre­sen­ta­ti­on of the central policy fields that can con­tri­bu­te to securing the supply of skilled labour. These range from initial, adult and voca­tio­nal education and training to in-company learning. Major topics such as labour mobility, reco­gni­ti­on of qua­li­fi­ca­ti­ons and vali­da­ti­on of non-formal and informal learning, coor­di­na­ti­on and moni­to­ring or reduction of skill mismatch com­ple­ment these areas of action. In addition, a look into other policy areas, such as health or equality policy, is taken and links to the debate on skill supply are shown. In addition to a compact overview of the current issues per policy field, strategic acti­vi­ties and measures in Vienna are presented and cross-linkages are shown. The par­ti­cu­lar strength of the handbook lies in the focus on the Viennese context and the assess­ment of regional chal­lenges and possible solutions.

The project is led by Eva Steinheimer and involves numerous staff members as authors and thus uses the broad expertise of the entire team. A publi­ca­ti­on of the handbook is planned in con­nec­tion with the opening of the centre for skilled workers in the course of 2023.