LehreUp

LehreUp supports apprentices in their education and companies in recruiting workers. This project spans the gap between individualised support for apprentices or young people looking for apprenticeships and structural provisions to cover the economy's need for skilled workers. Apprentices are prepared for vocational school and companies can inspire young people to take part of an apprenticeship at the Open Youth Work Dornbirn. Here, young people get a chance for vocational training that they would not have had before due to social circumstances, and complete it successfully with our support.

In Vorarlberg, there is a shortage of apprentices. Distance learning and using new digital tools is a challenge for apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic. LehreUp supports companies find new employees and prevents apprentices from dropping out by providing them support in schools.

LehreUp offers tutoring in German, English, and mathematics. This support is individually tailored to the participants’ needs based on their year in their apprenticeship and vocation. Besides in-person and digital small group courses, we also promote personal development and teamwork in days of action and workshops.

We try to involve all stakeholders – schools, companies, and apprentices – to shape the programme’s development by organising workshops, surveys, and meetings. As it is difficult to work together in person due to COVID-19 regulations, the feedback and findings we receive are important to us.

During the pandemic, the apprentices continued to maintain their training and studies in vocational school. Due to the pandemic, more apprentices are asking for support, so our workload has increased. Apprentices without additional support risk falling behind.

LehreUp can be easily transferred to other projects. Apprentices, schools, and companies all over Austria are facing the same challenge due to COVID-19. The curriculum in schools is also similar within the country. The online and in-person programme could also be implemented in other educational institutions or companies.