Over-specialization of vocational education hinders employment: report

A report released Tuesday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows vocational education in Austria is "too professional" and could actually weaken workers' long-term employability.

Austria attaches great importance to vocational education: about 70 percent of young people in 14 to 18-year age group attend vocational schools (BMHS), or other vocational training institutions. This proportion is significantly higher than the OECD average of 45 percent.

The "good vocational education system" in Austria makes it easier for young people to find work, "playing a substantive role in reducing youth unemployment," noted the report, entitled "Country study on vocational education in Austria."

However, the it found the system specialized. While specialized education helped young people enter jobs quickly, it also limited their skills. Many people only possess a single skill, which would affect the flexibility of their future career development and weaken their employability in the long term.

According to the report, only 20.8 percent of current Austrian workers aged 60 to 64 were employed, far below the OECD average of 42 percent.

In contrast, the employment rate in the U.S. of the same age group was 50 percent, Switzerland 55 percent, and Sweden and Norway as high as 60 percent and 76 percent, respectively.

The report concluded that vocational education could not ignore the training of "basic and comprehensive ability," which included the necessary language and math abilities.