Greens not convinced

New educational leave: these are the ÖVP’s ideas

In future, it should no longer be possible to take educational leave directly after parental leave.(Bild: lev dolgachov)

Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) has presented several proposals for changes to the booming educational leave. Among other things, the direct connection to parental leave is to be put on the back burner. The Green coalition partner immediately spoke out against any tightening up.

Although educational leave is an "important further training measure", it is "unfortunately no longer targeted enough" in its current form, Kocher said on Tuesday. Among other things, he wants to "generally no longer allow educational leave to directly follow" parental leave and introduce mandatory educational counseling. 

AMS costs more than doubled
The combination of twelve months of income-dependent childcare allowance and then twelve months of continuing education allowance has been booming for years. Between 2019 and 2023, AMS expenditure on educational leave, including social security contributions, soared from around 200 to more than 500 million euros. Most recently, an average of more than 18,000 women and 4,000 men received training allowance every month.

Parents should return to work after parental leave - at least for a few weeks
According to Wifo, more than one in ten women recently took educational leave after parental leave, while one in 1,000 employees take advantage of continuing education benefits every year. Providers advertise with slogans such as "Extend parental leave - one year more". According to Kocher, parents should be able to return to work between "a few weeks" and three months after maternity leave and only then be allowed to take educational leave.

More training allowance, more attendance checks
Kocher's reform proposals also include an increase in the daily continuing education allowance from the current EUR 14.50 to EUR 32.20, better ways of monitoring attendance at courses, a mandatory statement of the educational objective and a doubling of the study credits to 16 ECTS points. In future, examinations will at least have to be taken, otherwise the continuing education allowance will have to be paid back.

Employment Minister Kocher wants to revamp educational leave.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

The reform proposals are not about a "savings package", Kocher assured. The aim is, for example, to provide better protection for low earners and to strengthen "demanding further education formats". So far, Kocher has discussed the reform options with the social partners; negotiations are now to begin with the Green government partner.

Green social spokesperson "doesn't see the point"
They were willing to talk on some points: Raising the daily rate, educational guidance and stronger quality control are all conceivable, they said. However, they are "strictly against" tightening up the transition from parental leave to educational leave. "I don't see the point," said Green social spokesperson Markus Koza unequivocally.