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Assistance for apprenticeship training companies in the Vienna tourism and leisure industries

The pandemic has hit the tourism and leisure industries hard, with the hotel and catering sectors being particularly seriously affected. We help training companies so that apprentices have a greater chance of finding an apprenticeship. From 1 July we will be covering the costs of an apprentice’s pay.

Attention: Funding is exclusively available for apprenticeships that commenced no later than December 31, 2023!

Notice: The European Commission adopted the new De Minimis Regulation on December 13, 2023. It came into effect on January 1, 2024, and applies directly in every member state of the EU. The new application documents are available for download.

Key changes: The new total amount that can be granted to a single company by a member state as De Minimis aid must not exceed €300,000 over a period of 3 years.

Caution: The term “single company” regarding an “economically active entity” is clarified in Article 2, Section 2 of the regulation.

Who can apply for the grant?

Viennese apprenticeship training companies according to section 2 of the Vocational Training Act (BAG), who are registered with the Vienna Economic Chamber’s tourism and leisure branch and whose registered office or permanent establishment is in Vienna.

The grant is not available to:

Municipal associations, government training companies, political parties and independent training facilities according to sections 29, 30 and 30b of the Vocational Training Act.

What does the grant cover?

  • New apprentices in the first year of the apprenticeship residing in Vienna
  • Apprenticeships commencing that begin by December 31, 2023 at the latest!

How much is the grant?

waff pays the apprentice’s wages (collectively agreed gross apprenticeship income plus 20% lump sum for non-wage labour costs) for nine months.

N.B.: The basic state apprenticeship grant (basic grant) covers costs for three months in the first year of the apprenticeship.

Requirements for the grant

Self-declaration by the company that no Public Employment Service (AMS) grant has been claimed for the apprenticeship in question in accordance with the guidelines for subsidies to promote vocational training according to vocational training legislation.

Obligation on the part of the training company to repay the grant if the apprenticeship is terminated during the grant period or immediately after the grant period. Repayment is not required if there are serious reasons justifying termination of the apprenticeship by the training company (according to section 15 (3) BAG).

The application documents must be submitted to waff within three months of expiry of the trial period at the latest.

You cannot claim the Vienna Apprenticeship Training Bonus in addition to this grant.

How to apply for the grant

The grant application document, including the Declaration of Commitment and supporting documents, must be submitted to waff within three months of expiry of the trial period at the latest.

Payments will always be in arrears following the end of a quarter for which proof of apprenticeship has been provided; the first payment will be made following the end of the statutory three-month trial period at the earliest.