Continuing Education Time: This is What the AMS Chief Says

AMS Board Member Johannes Kopf expects that the new further education time will require a somewhat longer lead time before implementation. "We are already in September, the law is not even in effect yet, we still have to program and prepare things," said Kopf on Wednesday in the Ö1 "Morgenjournal". A start of the successor to educational leave - the AMS will continue to be responsible for processing - is likely only possible in the second quarter of 2026.

Tightening Compared to Educational Leave

Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) sent the draft law for review on Tuesday, with the deadline running until September 29. The costs for educational leave recently amounted to around 650 million euros per year, but now the government has reserved only around 150 million euros for budgetary reasons. The criteria for receiving further education time have been significantly tightened compared to educational leave. For example, a direct connection to parental leave is no longer possible. Unlike the old model, the AMS also checks whether the further education is labor market relevant and promising.

AMS Head Sees "Credible Attempt"

In principle, Kopf expressed satisfaction with the new model. Assessing the labor market relevance of further education measures is more work for the AMS, but "substantively sensible, that was not possible before." The new solution is intended to motivate especially lower-qualified individuals to pursue further education - for Kopf "a credible attempt," even though it remains to be seen how this group will accept the offer.

The Greens reiterated their criticism, fearing additional barriers for people with disabilities. The "old" educational leave with the performance proof of completing a study with 8 ECTS points had benefited them, as they often could only attend a few courses due to their "demanding and time-consuming daily lives." However, within the framework of further education time, 20 ECTS points - more than twice as many - must be proven. There are no exceptions for them, and the government proposal is therefore discriminatory, stated Ralph Schallmeiner, the Greens' spokesperson for people with disabilities, in a press release.

(APA/Red)

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