2024-04-16 18:10:13
For two days, apprentices from all over Austria were given an insight into the meaning and processes of democracy and parliament
Vienna (PK) – 85 apprentices from all over Austria were able to experience democracy up close during the Apprentice Parliament in Parliament over the past two days. In the run-up to the upcoming National Council election and the first ballot for many of them, they took on the role of members of the National Council. They learned about the meaning of majorities and the effects of their voting behavior as well as the relevance of active participation. At the invitation of National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, they debated the subject of further training as a career opportunity for apprentices using a fictitious bill to amend the Vocational Training Act. As in real everyday parliamentary life, they formed clubs and sought majorities for their concerns. At the end of the plenary session, they approved the legislative initiative with the amendments they had proposed and worked out. Throughout the day, the young people were supported by technical experts as well as National Council members Martina Kaufmann (ÖVP), Michael Seemayer (SPÖ), Walter Rauch (FPÖ), Süleyman Zorba (Greens) and Katharina Werner (NEOS) to help them with their work to support work. Third National Council President Norbert Hofer led the plenary session.
Debate about the importance of further training for careers
In the plenary debate, the apprentices discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a fictitious draft law to amend the Vocational Training Act. They discussed the proposal to oblige apprentices to complete 32 hours of further training per year of training and to anchor this in the form of a requirement for the final apprenticeship examination. In terms of content, further training in the areas of digitalization, entrepreneurial thinking and sustainability would have to be completed outside of working hours.
The “deputies” basically agreed on the importance of further training. However, several key points of the proposal met with criticism in the committee. After intensive discussions, this was changed and submitted to the plenary session for resolution. The originally planned obligation to continue training in one’s free time was no longer required and was anchored within the framework of working hours. In addition, support offers and an online platform with educational offers were provided and the content of the further training courses was made more flexible.
In the plenary debate, the “MPs” highlighted the need for these amendments. Many people criticized the originally planned obligation to continue training in their free time alongside their work. This would not contribute to the motivation of the apprentices, they argued. In addition, further training is important not only for the apprentices but also for the companies and should therefore take place during working hours.
Criticism came from the intended focal points. These would not be suitable for all apprenticeships and should therefore be made even more flexible, demanded a “mandatar”. A “MP” also argued that the planned 32 hours of further training per apprenticeship year would be a burden, especially for smaller companies.
Apprentice Parliament calls for mandatory further training for specialist teachers and full costs for apprentices
In addition, the young “deputies” put forward several initiatives through motions for resolutions. The demand for the establishment of mandatory further training for specialist teachers found a majority. The “MPs” also called on the government to ensure that apprentices do not have to bear any additional costs of further training themselves.
However, a motion for a resolution calling for the areas of sustainability, entrepreneurial thinking and digitalization to be anchored in the curricula of vocational schools remained in the minority.
Third National Council President Hofer and representatives praised the debate
At the end of the plenary debate in the Youth Parliament, Third National Council President Norbert Hofer and the participating representatives thanked the young people for the shared exchange and praised the debate.
Norbert Hofer emphasized that it is important for democracy to represent different points of view without being enemies. This lives from the different opinions and this tension. Hofer also appealed to young people to get involved in the community and thus make a positive difference.
The young people objectively weighed up the advantages and disadvantages of the legal initiative, said Martina Kaufmann (ÖVP). Democracy was upheld and there was no sign of disillusionment with democracy. Michael Seemayer (SPÖ) emphasized that it is important that young people’s ideas are brought into parliament. The day showed that young people are not tired of politics. He said that politicians could take an example from the factual way young people treat each other. Walter Rauch (FPÖ) also highlighted the young people’s good linguistic interaction with each other as a role model. Süleyman Zorba (Greens) praised the exciting debate and emphasized that the many approaches and ideas are the beauty of democracy. Katharina Werner (NEOS) was impressed by the courage of many young people to say something against it, even if this opinion did not have a majority.
About the Apprentice Parliament: Making democratic decision-making processes understandable
Apprentices from all over Austria can experience the legislative process up close for two days at the Apprentice Parliament. They learn to articulate their opinions and to represent their own points of view and negotiate. In this way, they can experience how political decisions are made at the original Parliament location. In this way, the apprentice parliament would like to interest the participants in political and democratic decision-making processes. As in real everyday parliamentary life, clubs are formed, draft laws are discussed in committees and then discussed and voted on in the plenary session. Finding alliances and compromises across club boundaries or convincing “political opponents” of your own view – all of this is part of the day, as is preparing speeches or answering questions from interested journalists. Members of the National Council, topic experts and parliamentary staff will be available to support the young people throughout the day.
This time a total of 85 apprentices from the Dornbirn 2 State Vocational School, the Altmünster Vocational School, the Lochau State Vocational School, the Zell am See State Vocational School and the Parliamentary Directorate took part. A wide variety of apprenticeships such as laboratory technology, office clerk, gastronomy, retail and textile technology were represented.
Further information about the apprentice parliament is available at www.reininsparlament.at available. (End) shhh
A NOTICE: Photos from this event as well as one Review of past events you find in Parliament web portal . The plenary session of the Youth Parliament is available as video-on-demand in the Parliament’s media library available.
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