Recognition or assessment of vocational qualifications
The Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism cooperates with Member States of the EU/EEA and other countries on numerous initiatives and at various levels to further develop mutual recognition and accreditation of prior learning.
Applications completed vocational training (final examinations) may be recognised by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism and made equivalent to corresponding Austrian apprenticeship credentials.
Recognition of Vocational Qualification
- Upon application the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism may declare vocational training credentials obtained abroad to be equivalent to the related final apprenticeship examination taken under the Austrian system. Furthermore the Ministry may declare the admission to a "restricted" practical examination to achieve full equivalence with the final apprenticeship examination.
- Based on special vocational training agreements, a number of vocational training credentials obtained in
- Germany,
- Hungary or
- South Tyrol
are equivalent.
The Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism will provide the relevant information on request.
With the full equivalency/recognition of the foreign vocational training certificate with an Austrian apprenticeship-leave exam, the Austrian labor and social security laws as well as the trade regulations apply!
Assessment of a vocational qualification
The Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism may evaluate vocational training completed abroad. An assessment is an expert statement. It serves as an orientation on the labour market for jobseekers and companies to support employment in an adequate occupation.
The assessment doesn´t result in a legal formal equivalence with an Austrian apprenticeship certificate. For this an application for equivalence (§ 27a Abs. 2 BAG) is required.
Process:
- Fill in the application form
- Choose the corresponding Austrian apprenticeship (Support: EUROPASS - certificate supplement; BIC)
- add to the application:
- Originals or court-certified or notarized copy of diploma and certificates,
- Relevant employment certificates,
- Further documents mentioned in application form.
Assistance service :
- AST
- Federal Ministry of Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism (Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00) - appointment required by phone: +43 (0)1 711 00 - 805321/803512 or e-mail: anerkennung-lehrabschluss@bmwet.gv.at)