Many AVL workers retrain after job losses

Almost 1,000 employees at AVL, a company in the automotive industry, lost their jobs within a year, but many have already found new work or entered retraining programmes funded by the state of Styria, ORF reported.

These employment foundations have operated since 2021. Since 2024, large companies including AVL and Magna have also taken part. The programmes support workers from insolvent companies or businesses that are cutting staff.

“As part of this foundation, people can complete training, further education and retraining, thereby improving their chances on the job market,” said Regina Geiger, managing director of the Styrian Employment Promotion Association.

Some participants are choosing to move into entirely different industries, said Yvonne Popper-Pieber, deputy managing director of AMS Styria, the regional employment service. Participants are mainly qualifying in green jobs, IT and digitalisation, as well as in care and social services.

“We believe these qualifications will continue to offer good job opportunities,” Popper-Pieber said.

According to Geiger, 700 people have so far completed qualifications through the foundations, and more than 400 of them immediately found new jobs. The programmes have achieved a placement rate of more than 60 percent, she said, because they offer training in fields where demand is high.

Since October 2024, about 160 people from the automotive industry have taken part in an employment foundation, according to AMS. Almost half came from AVL. The programmes are funded by the state of Styria, AMS and participating companies.