Strengthening Skilled Workers in Agriculture and Forestry

According to Totschnig, this represents a real milestone in vocational training.

This will eliminate the current confusing legal situation, as a single federal law will apply throughout Austria instead of nine different provincial laws, thereby strengthening the quality of vocational training in agriculture and forestry.

The master craftsman examination, the highest qualification level for agricultural and forestry occupations, qualifies master craftspeople to train apprentices themselves, thereby ensuring the continuation of skilled worker training on agricultural holdings. To secure training for the future, master craftspeople will receive financial support, and the master craftsman examination will be free of charge retroactively from 1 January 2024. In addition, it will be possible to have the master craftsman title entered in official documents in the agricultural and forestry sectors, as has been possible in the trade sector since 2020.

Federal Minister Totschnig emphasises that the LFBAG 2024 represents a genuine milestone in the vocational training of skilled workers and master craftspeople in agriculture and forestry. Unlike academic or school-leaving examinations, aspiring master craftspeople previously had to pay the examination fees themselves. Just as with university studies and in the trade sector, the agricultural and forestry master craftsman examination will now be free of charge. Totschnig states: “Master craftsman training ensures the transfer of practical skills in our agriculture and forestry sectors and prepares farmers to position themselves and their businesses optimally for the future. Master craftspeople are therefore the skilled professionals and leaders of the future.”

Around 500 Graduates Every Year

Around 500 people complete an agricultural or forestry master craftsman examination each year. These examinations are of the highest professional standard. The master craftsman qualification is therefore classified at the same level as a bachelor’s degree in the Austrian National Qualifications Framework: Level 6.

Due to changes in the constitutional framework, it is now possible for the first time to regulate in-company vocational training in agriculture and forestry uniformly throughout Austria. The law is intended to apply to all persons participating in agricultural and forestry vocational training programmes and to cover all levels of training (skilled worker and master craftsman).

A two-thirds majority in the National Council is required for the federal government to assume this comprehensive legislative responsibility. However, this does not affect the responsibility of the federal provinces for implementing the provisions of the LFBAG 2024 or their authority to establish the necessary provincial authorities.

New Developments Under the LFBAG 2024

Vocational training in agriculture and forestry has been carried out very successfully for many years. Consequently, there will be no major changes to its content or practical implementation. With the aim of targeted, up-to-date further development of vocational training in agriculture and forestry, the LFBAG 2024 introduces the following changes:

Establishment of a Federal Vocational Training Advisory Board for Agriculture and Forestry

The task of this newly established federal-level body is to provide coordinated advice to the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Regions and Water Management on matters relating to vocational training in agriculture and forestry.

Abolition of Examination Fees for the Master Craftsman Examination

The LFBAG 2024 stipulates that candidates for the master craftsman examination, as in the trade sector, will no longer have to pay examination fees. This applies retroactively from 1 January 2024.

This strengthens continuing vocational education and increases the attractiveness of qualifications at tertiary level.

It also eliminates the existing unequal treatment of examination candidates in the tertiary education sector, as examinations in higher education are already accessible free of charge.

Introduction of the New Apprenticeship Occupation “Professional Hunting”

By adding the new apprenticeship occupation “Professional Hunting” (Berufsjagdwirtschaft) to the list of recognised apprenticeship occupations under the LFBAG 2024, a demand that relevant interest groups have been pursuing for decades is being met: the establishment of a uniform training standard throughout Austria.

This will strengthen the quality and mobility of skilled professionals in this field.

Eligibility to Have the Master Craftsman Title Entered in Official Documents

Under the LFBAG 2024, the title “Meister” or “Meisterin” (master craftsman or master craftswoman) can be entered in official documents, such as passports, identity cards and driving licences.

This has already been possible in the trade sector since 2020.

As a result, the highest level of vocational training in Austria will also be recognised and enhanced in the agricultural and forestry sectors, making the high level of qualification achieved through master craftsman training more visible.