Concerns Rise Over Cuts to Youth Coaching in Austrian Secondary Schools
Recent budgetary constraints have led to significant reductions in youth coaching services at Austria's academic and vocational secondary schools (AHS and BHS), sparking concern among educators and policymakers. Since its introduction in 2012, the youth coaching initiative has supported students aged 15 and above, aiming to keep them engaged in education or vocational training and to reintegrate those who have dropped out. Evaluations have credited the program with helping Austria maintain comparatively low youth unemployment rates.
The latest budget adjustments have resulted in a one-third reduction of youth coaching resources at AHS and BHS institutions. School administrators report growing unease, highlighting the absence of a vital support structure for students facing academic challenges. Youth coaches offer specialised guidance, including aptitude assessments and assistance with job applications, which teaching staff are typically not equipped to provide at the same level.
In Austrian academic secondary schools, approximately one-quarter of students transfer to other educational pathways or leave school before graduation. In vocational secondary schools, this figure rises to one-third, with the highest dropout rates occurring during the initial year. Alternatives to youth coaching remain limited, even as school social work positions have recently been introduced, starting with a modest number of posts.
The Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs has indicated that preventive support through youth coaching will continue at AHS and BHS, albeit at a reduced scale. All students at these schools will retain access to the service, but longer waiting times may occur. The ministry explained that budget reductions targeted areas where youth coaching was deemed less critical and shifted resources to regions and groups with greater need, such as those at risk of dropping out entirely, compulsory education sectors, and young people with disabilities.
As a result, Vienna's youth coaching services experienced a smaller reduction than the national average, but this was only possible by applying substantial cuts to higher-level schools in the capital. The ministry could not specify the exact number of staff or full-time positions affected, citing the integrated nature of many youth coaching projects.
It is anticipated that, due to these cuts, the number of supported cases will decrease to an estimated 69,000 in the coming year, with a budget allocation of roughly EUR72.5 million. This represents a decline from over 70,000 supported cases in the previous year.
Some education experts have expressed reservations about reducing youth coaching provisions, arguing that effective guidance is crucial to preventing students from pursuing unsuited educational pathways, which can result in wasted time and resources for both individuals and the state. Critics also point out the apparent inconsistency between these cuts and new initiatives being developed by the Ministry of Education, such as 'perspective talks' designed to help students explore future opportunities and facilitate school transfers.
Official statements clarify that these new guidance conversations will primarily be conducted by teachers, though external specialists like youth coaches may be involved if necessary. Recent calls from political groups have urged the government to reconsider the reductions, describing youth coaching as a critical tool for preventing school dropouts and supporting student aspirations.