Qualifizierungsoffensive Upskilling Measures for the Transformation
As part of the Transformation Initiative led by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET), a structured transition toward a sustainable, digitalized, and future-oriented economy is being actively supported. This far-reaching transformation process requires the continuous development of business-relevant competencies and the demand-driven upskilling of professionals within the Austrian economy.
Through targeted support for "Skills Checks," qualification projects, and innovative training labs, a substantial contribution is being made to the development of the qualifications necessary to successfully meet the economic and technological challenges of the future.
Funding Instruments
The funding program primarily addresses various target groups through the following instruments:
Skills Schecks
Skills Schecks provide companies with financial support for training programs attended by their employees. The goal is to support professionals within companies in adapting to a sustainable (ecological), digitalized, and future-ready economy.
Qualification Projects
This funding line supports the systematic assessment and analysis of company-specific skills requirements, as well as the development and implementation of customized training formats tailored to those needs.
The call is open to all industries and technologies and is directed at companies of all sizes with a registered office in Austria and employed staff. This broad eligibility allows for wide participation across various economic sectors and ensures the practical relevance of the developed qualification measures.
Project proposals can be submitted either as individual initiatives or as part of consortium projects. Consortium formation, in particular, offers small and medium-sized enterprises the opportunity to leverage synergies and benefit from collaboration with partners from industry, science, and education.
WeiterbildungsLABs
WeiterbildungsLABs support the establishment and operation of innovative training centers specifically designed to meet the unique needs of individual industries. In the 2025 call, the thematic focus is on the construction industry and the plastics sector—both key industries in Austria with significant transformation potential.
The aim of this initiative is to facilitate the development, testing, and implementation of modern training formats through the creation of dedicated LAB structures. These efforts contribute to the long-term strengthening of workforce qualifications, innovation capacity, and competitive resilience in these sectors.
The program is administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Further information is available at: Qualification Measures for the Transformation | FFG
Contact
Department for SMEs: KMU@bmwet.gv.at