Austria initiative opens job opportunities for young people with disabilities

An initiative in Lower Austria has helped 157 young people with disabilities test their prospects in the labour market since 2024, ORF reports. Under the “Able to work by 25” programme, they no longer have to be classified as unable to work.

One participant is 25 year old Stefan Prager from the Mostviertel region. He is preparing to enter working life at a work training centre in Purgstall in Scheibbs district, where he can try different tasks.

“I did not enjoy sitting at home all the time anymore. I simply wanted to go to work,” Prager told noe.ORF.at. After visiting a company’s open day, he was able to start a few weeks later.

The initiative is supported by the Public Employment Service, the Social Ministry Service and external partners. It is intended to improve access to the labour market while also encouraging social contacts.

Until two years ago, young people classified as unable to work could not use the Public Employment Service’s programmes, said Günther Widy, head of the Social Ministry Service.

Of the 157 young people using the initiative in Lower Austria, 59 are taking part in individual training courses and 15 have already entered the workforce.

“The number may not sound particularly large, but each individual young person’s life has changed,” said Sandra Kern, managing director of the Lower Austria branch of the Public Employment Service. She said businesses willing to support the programme were also important.

At the training centre, Prager tries out metalwork, woodworking and gardening. Katrin Dorner-Markt, who supports young people such as Prager through youth coaching provided by the Social Ministry Service, said the programme showed him what he could do while allowing him to learn and work productively.

Prager said he wanted to remain in warehouse work, where he had completed several internships. Driving a forklift was something he enjoyed. His goal is to become financially independent through work.