A new tool for co-financing lifelong learning in Austria: the learning voucher of the Chamber of Labour

The Chamber of Labour is the legal representation of all Austrian workers and employees. Membership is compulsory. The nine provincial Chambers of Labour and the Chamber of Labour Austria as the national head organisation are legally obliged to represent the social, economic, educational and cultural interests of their members. In 2002, the Chamber of Labour launched a new initiative, the 'AK Bildungsgutschein' ('Learning voucher of the Chamber of Labour'), in all nine Austrian states. Every member can order a learning voucher worth 100 euros (in some states members on parental leave receive 150 euros) every year. The voucher can be used up in specially defined courses - including those leading to formal higher qualification - at selected training providers. The presentation will deal with the following questions: What has been the reason for the shift from the supply to the demand side, and therefore for the implementation of the learning voucher? How and what for can the voucher be used up? What have been the results of the first evaluation? How can the learning voucher be combined with other mechanisms for co-financing lifelong learning in Austria? What is the outlook for the future?

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Collections of papers presented under each theme are indexed from TD/TNC 81.453 to TD/TNC 81.457; selected papers from this theme are indexed from TD/TNC 81.494 to TD/TNC 81.506.

The Chamber of Labour is the legal representation of all Austrian workers and employees. Membership is compulsory. The nine provincial Chambers of Labour and the Chamber of Labour Austria as the national head organisation are legally obliged to represent the social, economic, educational and cultural interests of their members. In 2002, the Chamber of Labour launched a new initiative, the 'AK Bildungsgutschein' ('Learning voucher of the Chamber of Labour'), in all nine Austrian states. Every member can order a learning voucher worth 100 euros (in some states members ...  [+] Show more