For years, kindergarten teachers have been in high demand in Austria. The ongoing expansion of kindergarten places is further exacerbating the shortage of skilled workers. In addition to traditional training at educational institutions for early childhood education (BAfEP), where young people can obtain professional qualifications while completing their high school diploma, or where adults with a high school diploma or vocational matriculation examination can train at college, various new training paths for the profession have therefore been created in recent years.
Most recently, the current government announced €32 million for an additional 4,000 training places by 2028/29. In addition to more part-time courses at colleges, the new undergraduate bachelor's programmes are intended to appeal more to high school graduates. In the 2026/27 academic year, 50 places will be available for first-year students on this three-year training program at the University of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna, and 25 each at the University of Applied Sciences Salzburg and the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. In addition to the total of 100 places for first-year students at the universities of applied sciences, there will be up to 60 places at each of seven teacher training colleges (University College of Teacher Education Lower Austria, University College of Teacher Education Vienna, Private University of Education, Diocese of Linz, University College of Teacher Education Styria, PPH Augustinum in Graz, University College of Teacher Education Burgenland, and University College of Teacher Education Tyrol).
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