Lehre mit Matura für mehr soziale Durchlässigkeit und positive Bildungsmobilität

Lehre mit Matura (Apprenticeship with a School-leaving Certificate) for Greater Social Permeability and Positive Educational Mobility
Initiated in 2008, the project “Lehre mit Reifeprüfung” (also called “Berufsmatura” or “Lehre mit Matura”; Apprenticeship with a School-leaving Certificate) permits apprentices throughout Austria to obtain a vocational school-leaving certificate for free during their apprenticeship. For many young people, most of whom come from families in which the highest level of education is a completed apprenticeship, this is a valuable opportunity for educational advancement. For those who have dropped out of higher education and are being educated as apprentices, the programme may amount to a “plan B” and prevent “backward mobility”. This article presents the findings of an evaluation conducted in 2016 on the vocational school-leaving exam in Vienna and lets participants speak about their subjective experiences and assessments. The focus is on the educational background of participants and the subsequent educational and career paths of the certificate holders. As the author shows, high quality standards in the courses and closely coordinated advising and support are very important in order for the participants to pass the exam. Another important factor for the success of the participants is support from the company where they complete their apprenticeship. It appears that the programme “Lehre mit Matura” not only increases social permeability and positive educational mobility but also makes a valuable contribution to promoting female apprentices. (Ed.)