13 new teachers / 1,131 complete the practice-oriented training in four districts / Wide range of specializations
Interest in apprenticeships at one of the four agricultural colleges (LFS) in the state remains high. 1,131 students are starting the new 2024/2025 school year today. 390 of them are starting in the first grades. The teaching teams have been strengthened by 13 new teachers who were hired over the summer.
The agricultural schools at the Kleßheim, Winklhof (Oberalm), Bruck and Tamsweg locations are very well prepared for the new school year and, as in previous years, the classes are full. 1,131 students is a new record. The popularity of the training for 103 adults this year at the Bruck, Kleßheim and Winklhof locations has given the number of students a new boost. Classes begin today in the fields of agriculture, horse farming or professional and household management and a variety of elective specializations.
Schwaiger: “Top training in the country.”
The number of students at the agricultural colleges has increased slightly again this year. “All locations are fully booked at the start of the school year. The high demand from young people, even those without an agricultural background, shows very clearly how high the quality of the practical training with job guarantee is,” says State Councilor Josef Schwaiger, and he emphasizes: “The major investments in the modernization of the LFS in recent years have paid off 100 percent.”
13 new teachers
The new school year will also see the start of 13 new teachers at the agricultural schools. Five women and three men will begin teaching in Bruck, one teacher will begin at Winklhof and three women and one man will begin in Kleßheim. “We were able to select the new colleagues from a large number of applications. Their qualifications are as diverse as the range of training offered by the LFS. The range of new teachers extends from business education teachers to dairy product experts to master butchers and seamstresses. With them, we will continue to ensure the high quality of training at all locations,” said State Councilor Schwaiger.
Starting signal for 390 “first graders”
390 first-graders are starting classes at the agricultural schools today. 272 of them have chosen agriculture or horse farming, 118 business and household management. “They can expect top-class training with a large practical component. Living together in the schools and boarding schools at the four locations is like being in a big family, where teaching and learning are fun,” says Christoph Faistauer, state school inspector for the LFS. The graduates of the LFS can expect a job guarantee after their training.
Nursing and elementary education
The Winklhof Agricultural College in Oberalm is starting the new school year with an additional training focus for additional teaching staff for elementary education. Today, 20 people are already starting their training. Some of them have even changed school locations for this purpose. Nursing training has now been established in cooperation with the Tauern Clinic at the school in Bruck. 23 students are currently in training there.
Key dates for the start of school in agricultural schools
- Total students at all locations: 1,131
- Of which first graders: 390
- First-graders Business and Budget Management: 118
- First-graders in agriculture and horse farming: 272
- School for adults: 103
Student numbers in agriculture
- Bruck: 194 students, including 70 first graders
- Kleßheim: 162 students, including 64 first graders
- Tamsweg: 169 students, including 72 first graders
- Winklhof: 164 students, including 66 first graders
Student numbers Business and budget management
- Bruck: 181 students, including 66 first graders
- Kleßheim: 73 students, including 20 first graders
- Winklhof: 85 students, including 32 first graders
School for adults
This year, 103 adults will be trained as agricultural specialists at the Kleßheim, Winklhof and Bruck locations. “In this evening school with units on the weekend, there are around 300 hours of training, 60 of which are practical hours to prepare them well for work on the farm,” says Josef Schwaiger.
New leadership in Bruck and Kleßheim
Just in time for the start of school, the department heads at two locations were also appointed. At the LFS Bruck, Elisabeth Wimmer will be in charge of the business and budget management department and Rupert Rohrmoser will be in charge of the agriculture department. In Kleßheim, Johannes Bliem will be in charge of the agriculture department.
©State of Salzburg/Neumayr/Hofer
Table of Contents
Agricultural Education in Austria: A Bright Future Ahead
Austria is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rich agricultural traditions, and commitment to sustainable practices. As the new academic year commences, the country’s agricultural colleges (LFS) are gearing up to welcome a record-breaking 1,131 students, including 390 first-graders. This surge in interest is a testament to the high quality of practical training and job guarantee offered by these institutions.
Practice-Oriented Training and Wide Range of Specializations
The agricultural schools at Kleßheim, Winklhof (Oberalm), Bruck, and Tamsweg locations are well-prepared to provide top-class training with a large practical component. Students can choose from a variety of elective specializations, including agriculture, horse farming, professional and household management, nursing, and elementary education. The schools’ boarding facilities foster a sense of community, creating a supportive environment where teaching and learning are enjoyable.
13 New Teachers Join the Team
To ensure the continued high quality of training, 13 new teachers have been appointed across the four locations. These new colleagues bring diverse qualifications, ranging from business education to dairy product expertise, master butchery, and sewing. With their additions, the teaching teams are well-equipped to cater to the growing student body.
Student Numbers and Specializations
The student numbers for the 2024/2025 school year are as follows:
Total students at all locations: 1,131
First-graders: 390
First-graders in agriculture and horse farming: 272
First-graders in business and household management: 118
* School for adults: 103
Additional Training Focuses
The Winklhof Agricultural College in Oberalm is introducing an additional training focus for elementary education, with 20 students already enrolled. Nursing training has been established in cooperation with the Tauern Clinic at the school in Bruck, with 23 students currently in training.
Austria’s Strong Agricultural Heritage
Austria’s agricultural sector has a long history of innovation and sustainability. The country is home to several prestigious universities and institutions that offer degree programs in agriculture and related fields, such as the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, and the University of Vienna [[3]]. Students interested in pursuing higher education in agriculture can explore these institutions and others using online resources like TopUniversities [[2]]or Edurank [[3]].
Conclusion
As the new academic year begins, Austria’s agricultural colleges are well-positioned to provide high-quality training and education to the next generation of agricultural specialists. With their strong focus on practical training, modernized facilities, and diverse specializations, these institutions are an attractive choice for students seeking a promising career in agriculture. As State Councilor Josef Schwaiger emphasizes, “The major investments in the modernization of the LFS in recent years have paid off 100 percent.” The future of agriculture in Austria looks bright indeed.
Austria education system ranking
Agricultural Education in Austria: A Booming Sector with New Teachers and Specializations
Austria’s agricultural education sector is thriving, with 1,131 students enrolled in the new 2024/2025 school year, a new record. The four agricultural colleges (LFS) in the state, located in Kleßheim, Winklhof (Oberalm), Bruck, and Tamsweg, are preparing to welcome a new cohort of students, including 390 first-graders. This increase in student numbers is a testament to the high demand for practical and job-guaranteed training in agriculture, horse farming, and professional and household management.
New Teachers Strengthen Teaching Teams
The teaching teams at the LFS have been bolstered by 13 new teachers, who were hired over the summer. These new recruits come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including business education, dairy product expertise, master butchers, and seamstresses. According to State Councilor Josef Schwaiger, these new teachers will ensure the high quality of training at all locations.
Wide Range of Specializations
The LFS offer a range of specializations, including agriculture, horse farming, professional and household management, as well as elective specializations. Students can also take advantage of additional training focuses, such as nursing and elementary education. The Winklhof Agricultural College, for example, is starting the new school year with an additional training focus for elementary education, with 20 students already enrolled.
Practice-Oriented Training with Job Guarantee
The LFS are renowned for their practice-oriented training, which provides students with the skills and knowledge required for a successful career in agriculture. The graduates of the LFS can expect a job guarantee after their training, making these colleges an attractive option for young people seeking a rewarding and secure career.
Austria: A Hub for Agricultural Education
Austria is a popular destination for students seeking to pursue a degree in agriculture and forestry. With six universities offering Master’s degrees in these fields, according to MastersPortal [[1]], Austria offers a range of options for students seeking to specialize in these areas. The University College for Agricultural and Environmental Education, for example, is a pedagogical center for the training of teachers and advisors in agricultural education [[2]]. The University of Agricultural Sciences (Vienna) is another institution dedicated to research and innovation in agriculture and food [[3]].
Conclusion
Austria’s agricultural education sector is booming, with a new record number of students enrolled in the 2024/2025 school year. The LFS are well-prepared to welcome these students, with a range of specializations and practice-oriented training that provides a job guarantee after graduation. With new teachers and modernized facilities, the LFS are set to continue providing top-class training to the next generation of agricultural professionals.
