Vienna Launches New Education Centre to Help Refugee Integration

Vienna Launches New Education Centre to Help Refugee Integration

The old campus of Vienna’s University of Economics where the classes will take place. Photo: APA/MACKINGER GERALD

 

A new education initiative for adults with asylum or subsidiary protection status has been launched in Vienna, city officials announced on Thursday.

Named the ‘College 25+’, the initiative provides both educational and counselling services, with more than 1,000 places available to help integrate participants into the job market.

The project is a joint effort between adult education centres and charitable organisations Volkshilfe and Caritas, according to City Councillor for Social Affairs, Peter Hacker, who spoke at Thursday’s launch event.

While some courses have already begun, the project is expected to be fully operational by January 2025. Funded by the city, the Vienna Social Fund, and the European Social Fund, College 25+ is projected to cost around €9.7 million until the end of 2025.

Participants are referred via agencies such as the AMS, where they undergo competency checks before receiving a weekly timetable of 26 hours. The adult education centres will manage German language courses, including an Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) exam covering levels A1 to B2. Participants will also have the chance to gain basic school qualifications.

Caritas will offer socio-educational support and counselling, while Volkshilfe will provide career guidance and job placement services.

“A modern social policy is about two things: giving quick, uncomplicated help to those in need and getting people into employment as soon as possible. That’s the best way to help them lead independent lives in the long term,” Hacker said. He added that the new project, alongside the existing youth college, will bring various programmes together under one roof.

All activities will take place at the old premises of the University of Economics in the 9th district, Alsergrund, where childcare services will also be available.

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