The Integration Year

Jobs

Faster integration: refugees to start education and qualification at an earlier stage

Guided by the idea that everyone should contribute to community life and must be given the opportunity to do so, this measure represents a paradigm shift in Austrian integration policy. For the first time, integration starts at an early stage so that migrants are not forced to do nothing during the asylum procedure, which can take years. Education and qualification enable refugees to contribute to their future and that of Austria. This benefits the refugees and society as a whole, because nothing is more expensive than a lack of prospects and the consequential costs. The integration year lasts a minimum of twelve months and includes language courses, qualification measures, orientation and value courses, work preparation and initial work experience. It has a modular structure and prepares people for the labour market. Progress and completed modules are recorded on an individual integration card. As with all Employment Service measures, participation is mandatory. This is important, because integration requires hard work from both sides.