2023-05-12 17:21:05
With “Elementar Plus” the BMBWF presents a program for the further training of assistants. An important measure in view of the shortage of skilled workers in crèches and kindergartens.
Vienna (OTS) – On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) together with the University of Graz launched the three-year part-time training program “Elementar Plus” presents. It gives kindergarten assistants the opportunity to qualify for the profession of elementary teacher. In a pilot project, 50 places will initially be available from autumn 2023.
Striking need for staff in childcare facilities
“In kindergartens, crèches and mixed-age children’s groups, we are confronted with a striking additional need for elementary teachers, which poses enormous problems for us and other providers of childcare facilities,” says the managing director of the Aid Organization Elisabeth Anselm. “Any opportunity to make it easier for those who are interested to enter the job description is helpful and important. We therefore very much welcome this initiative,” said Anselm.
According to the aid organization, up to ten percent of the best-sighted assistant staff in kindergartens and crèches are considering further training to become an elementary teacher. In view of the glaring staff shortage that is currently prevailing, this is an absolute necessity in order to be able to guarantee the pedagogical quality of childcare in the future. Because in many cases, assistants are already being used for the same area of responsibility as pedagogical specialists – just without the appropriate training.
“In our opinion, the ‘Elementary Plus’ program is a very attractive offer for people who have already gained experience in elementary school, know the environment and would like to gain higher qualifications,” says Rebecca Janker, specialist in the area of children, youth, family and psychosocial services in the Austrian aid organization. “The fact that the further training is possible while working and is financed has decisive advantages for those interested and those responsible for it,” says Janker. “And it is an essential step to counter the shortage of skilled workers in elementary education. Otherwise, the personnel situation would get even worse,” says Janker.
There is great potential and demand: Rapid expansion of the offer is necessary
In many debates on the situation of training and further education in the field of elementary education, the focus has so far been on the elementary teachers. In view of the number of assistants and support staff, this is a questionable and negligent reduction. According to children’s day-care center statistics for 2021/22, a little over 30,000 people worked as trained specialists and almost 26,800 people as assistants or support staff in childcare facilities during the survey period. A little over 17,000 people work as specialist staff in kindergartens, and a little over 15,800 people are employed here as assistants or support staff. It is therefore evident, according to Janker, that this professional group must be included in any training debate.
As soon as the practicability of “Elementar Plus” is confirmed, the offer would have to be expanded quickly and more places made available. This is the only way to counteract the shortage of skilled workers and offer the assistant staff further development and future prospects in this professional field, emphasizes Rebecca Janker.
Standardization of job profile and training of kindergarten assistants
At the same time, with such measures, it should be taken into account that the job description and training for assistant staff are regulated differently in the federal states, emphasizes the aid organization. That would not be ideal in terms of upskilling programs and also hinders staff mobility between countries. “That kind of thing is no longer up-to-date. We need common, transnational standards for a uniform job description. Because only if kindergarten assistants from Burgenland or Salzburg have the same prerequisites as those from Upper Austria or Carinthia will meaningful and complete further training be possible,” concludes Rebecca Janker.
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Questions & contact:
Aid organization Austria, federal office
Stomach. Barbara Tober
+43 1 4057500-222, Mobil: +43 676 8787 60207
barbara.tober@hilfswerk.at
www.hilfswerk.at
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