Austria has a broad-based initial vocational training system, which is chosen by almost four-fifths of the over-15s. The full-time school-based training forms, that are mostly completed with a Matura (Abitur), and the dual training occupations are in competition for these young people. Since 1989, the proportion of high school graduates from vocational schools has been bigger than that from secondary schools. The Apprenticeship with Matura programme has further improved permeability in the tertiary sector. VET schools have to react to longer-term trends and short-term economic fluctuations. Central challenges are the digitisation of all occupations and the ongoing implementation of lifelong learning concepts in every occupational field. The publication is part of the International Handbook of Vocational Education and Training series. This standard work in comparative vocational education and training research is intended for an academic audience as well as vocational education and training practice.

Christian Dorninger, Sektionschef Berufsbildung (im Ruhestand), Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung, Wien, Österreich Franz Gramlinger, Leiter ARQAVET Österreichische Referenzstelle für Qualität in der Berufsbildung in der OeADGmbH, Wien, Österreich