Baden theatre secures inclusive café jobs through new partnership

Theater am Steg in Baden will continue its employment inclusion project under a new partnership that funds two regular café jobs for people with support needs, ORF reports.

Lebenshilfe Niederösterreich has prepared young people for work at the theatre since 2002. Around 200 have gained their first practical experience in hospitality at its café. The project was at risk after its previous funding from the Social Ministry ended last year.

The new cooperation between Lebenshilfe, the city of Baden and Niederösterreichische Molkerei, a dairy, will allow two people to be employed directly in the café rather than take part only in training. Armenid Berisha and Victor Amatschek have started in regular jobs.

Support workers from Lebenshilfe’s Baden workshop will also help at the café. Many of its decorations and display items are handmade there, including artworks and textiles that are shown to customers.

The project aims to build work experience through customer contact, teamwork and responsibility for daily operations, while supporting social participation and personal development.