Austria introduces higher vocational education based on experience

Austria is embracing a new educational pathway, "Higher Vocational Education" (HBB), which grants official qualifications based on professional experience rather than university degrees. This system, inspired by Switzerland's successful model, aims to elevate the status of vocational training and provide a more flexible route for lifelong learning.

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In Switzerland, the importance of greater permeability in the education system was recognized early on to make vocational training more attractive overall.

The HBB system recognizes that traditional academic paths are not the sole measure of expertise. It allows skilled professionals, such as technicians in building services, to earn advanced titles like "Technical Consultant for Energy Efficiency." This initiative acknowledges the value of practical skills and experience, offering a tertiary-level qualification that complements, rather than competes with, university degrees.

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This view is too narrow. The two systems cater to different target groups: A university degree often serves as an entry into the labor market. HBB enables professional advancement within a field of work.

Education expert Ursula Renold highlights the Swiss experience, where higher vocational education was integrated into the tertiary education system in 2004, leading to approximately 30,000 graduates annually. Renold emphasizes that HBB targets a different demographic than universities, supporting career progression for working individuals typically between 15 and 60 years old. "A university degree often serves as an entry into the labor market. HBB enables professional advancement within a field of work," she explains.

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Academic education is primarily aimed at people between 15 and 30 years old. HBB typically accompanies employed individuals between 15 and 60 years old.

Personal benefits include significant income increases, with studies showing salary jumps of 27-29% for roles like construction managers and around 10% for business administration graduates with HBB qualifications. Companies also stand to gain from increased productivity. Renold further notes that HBB's emphasis on adaptable soft skills is particularly crucial in the age of AI, where the half-life of technical competencies is shortening, making continuous professional development essential.

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We saw this with the example of construction managers, where there is a salary increase of about 27 to 29 percent. For higher vocational school business administration, it is around ten percent. The effects are substantial in any case.