Deepening Autonomy in Self-Employment within Social Assistance in Upper Austria
Upper Austria ventures into novel methods for social assistance, focusing on reintegrating work-capable long-term recipients into the workforce. This endeavor, titled "Social Assistance and Employment," collaborates with the AMS and the Association of Cities and Towns. The aim is to re-establish work-capable long-term recipients through mediation, individual case management, qualification, and firm sanctions, as stated by Social Provincial Governor, Christian Dörfel.
Dörfel emphasized the importance of social security, asserting that it arises from genuine integration within society, rather than prolonged aid. This project seeks to promote self-sufficiency and social security, positioning social assistance as temporary aid in times of need, not a permanent lifestyle.
In Austria, wider employment and social support efforts are underway. The Public Employment Service Austria offers training and helps job seekers find employment opportunities, modernized Vocational Education and Training initiatives address skilled workforce shortages, and the government works to reduce unemployment through employment incentives and labor law modernization. Additional initiatives, such as programs that support entrepreneurship and provide affordable housing, indirectly aid in employment generation and social stability.
While specific details about the "Social Assistance and Employment" project in Upper Austria remain scarce, these strategies reflect broader efforts in Austria to promote employment and social welfare. For further insights into the program's specifics, local resources or official announcements would be invaluable.
The "Social Assistance and Employment" project in Upper Austria incorporates a health-and-wellness component focused on workplace-wellness, ensuring that reintegrated workers maintain good health and well-being within their new workplaces. The science of workplace-wellness, when combined with the wider employment and social support efforts in Austria, aims to foster a self-sufficient society where social assistance serves as a transitional aid, not a permanent lifestyle.