1. The Austrian School System

2. Historical Development (in Short)
The Austrian education system basically goes back to Duchess Maria Theresia ( ) who realized the importance of education for the success of a state. In 1774 she introduced the compulsory education for 6 years in primary schools using school books for the first time ever.
Since 1868 girls have been allowed to get education beyond primary school. The first Medium-level Secondary vocational colleges were founded in Vienna in the same year.
Compulsory education was extended to 8 years in 1869.
In 1927 general secondary school was introduced as further education after primary school.
In 1962 compulsory education was once more extended to the 9 years we have at present.

3. The Austrian School System (today)
age
18+
School for Mastercraftsmen
Add-on courses
University of Applied Sciences
University
18-19
Upper-level secondary technical and vocational colleges
17-18
Vocational schools for apprentices (dual system)
Secondary academic schools upper level
16-17
Medium level secondary technical and vocational colleges
compulsory education
15-16
14-15
Polytechnic schools (1yr)
10 to 13
General secondary school
New secondary school
Secondary academic school lower level
6 to 9
Primary School
2,5 to 6
Kindergarten / Nursery school
All forms of schools end with some sort of degree: leaving examination (Medium Level Secondary colleges), diploma examination (Upper-level Secondary colleges), Reifeprüfung (Secondary Academic Schools Upper Level), apprenticeship-leave examination, Bachelor/Master/Doctor (University)
Only Reifeprüfung and Diploma examination allow students to go to University

4. Our School Type: HAS
The Austrian Handelsschule is a medium-level secondary vocational school with special focus on business subjects.
It is for pupils from the age of 14 and lasts for 3 years.
Pupils finish this school with a final exam after these 3 years. This exam consists of a written and an oral part. Furthermore, you have to write and present a project work which is written in the 3rd year.
With this exam you are allowed to work in offices of any kind and you are also allowed to start your own business in this business sector.

5. How to become an Office Clerk in Austria
If you want to become an Office Clerk in Austria you have basically two options:
After 3 years in nursery school, 4 years in primary school, 4 years in lower secondary school and 1 year in polytechnic school you become an apprentice for 3 years and you have to visit a vocational school for once a week during these years.
The other option is to visit a medium-level secondary vocational school like ours for 3 years after lower secondary school. Here you finish with a final exam.
While doing one or the other way you learn everything that is connected with office management and customer care.
To work in such a job in Austria you should be reliable, know at least a bit of English, be open-minded, polite and friendly and like to organise.