training
Teachers who undertake to teach at a compulsory school in Vorarlberg for two years will in future receive a bonus of up to 6,500 euros. However, this only applies to teachers and career changers who do not have their main residence in Vorarlberg at the time of hiring.
“Within the scope of this funding, people from other federal states should be reached, because otherwise we would not have enough teachers,” argues Heiko Richter, head of the “School Workplace” project center of the Vorarlberg Education Directorate. “We need people from other countries, otherwise we can’t do it at the moment,” says Richter. The call is aimed at both trained teachers and career changers with a relevant degree.
Housing and mobility bonus as a premium
The premium of up to 6,500 euros consists of a housing allowance and a mobility allowance. The housing subsidy provides that each teacher receives 180 euros per month. That amounts to around 4,000 euros over two years. As a mobility grant, the teachers receive either the money for five trips home or the climate ticket each year.
Shortage of teachers: Serious and tense situation
Richter emphasizes that the campaign seems to be bearing fruit: “I get calls and emails every day and have counseling sessions,” emphasizes Richter. Even though the application deadline was actually August 31st, the activities would not stop. In addition to typical career changers, those interested also included teachers who were or are already working as teachers.
It is not yet possible to estimate how many interested parties will actually come to Vorarlberg: “The numbers are constantly changing and are still doing so,” explains Richter. We are aware of the serious and tense situation that the shortage of teachers entails, which is why everything will be done to fill the other positions.