A major EuroSkills supporter from the “first hours” is the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs, whose agendas include not only topics such as digitalisation and innovation, but also vocational training and apprenticeships.

It is one of the central issues that have preoccupied business and politics in Austria in recent years: The shortage of skilled workers and, along with it, solutions that particularly involve the next generation. Companies are often desperate for skilled workers, especially in technical and skilled trades, and many of these professions offer young people the opportunity to pursue a career with a future. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs has therefore launched a number of initiatives to help make (dual) training more attractive – supporting EuroSkills 2021, a showcase for vocational quality, therefore fits perfectly with the ministry’s agendas.

Together with the Federal Ministry for Women and Integration and the Federation of Austrian Industries, the Ministry recently launched the MINT Girls Challenge, an Austria-wide initiative specifically aimed at girls. The goal of this initiative is to get more girls and women interested in STEM professions and thus to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. As part of the programme, girls have the chance to submit their own ideas around 17 so-called “Sustainable Development Goals” and thus actively help shape the future through STEM skills. More information on the MINT Girls Challenge can be found online here.

Federal Minister Margarete Schramböck says about the commitment to EuroSkills 2021: “Vocational training not only enables young people to obtain an internationally recognised educational qualification, but also promotes their talents, personality development and active participation in society.

Already at a young age, apprentices and skilled workers assume responsibility in the company environment and actively contribute to the company’s success. In these economically challenging times, well-trained skilled workers are of particular importance for the future of our business hub and thus for prosperity and growth.

Events such as EuroSkills make a key contribution to this by enabling Europe’s young professionals to showcase their outstanding achievements and thus the diversity of professions and skills to a broad public. But our European Skills Championships also help to develop this form of training further. The exchange of experts as well as the inclusion of new economic and technical trends, among others in the form of presentation skills, support the development of new occupational profiles.

I wish all participants every success. The course we set in vocational education and training today will enable the success of our young generations tomorrow.”

At this point, many thanks once again to the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs for its valuable support. We are Skills!

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(c) GEOPHO.
Please note that these photos were taken before the outbreak of COVID-19.