Austria and the United States have introduced a new Working Holiday Program, offering young Austrian and US citizens the opportunity to learn about each other’s culture, everyday life, and the working world.
The agreement was signed by Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and US Deputy Secretary of State for Education and Culture Lee Satterfield in Washington on Tuesday.
Through this program, students or graduates aged between 18 and 30 can live, work, and attend educational institutions in the partner country for up to one year.
The Austrian Minister of Labour and Ectomfinance, Kocher, further explained this program would allow young people to work during a stay abroad without needing an additional work permit.
This benefits both Austrian citizens, who can gain valuable international and professional experience, and the Austrian labour market, given the labour shortage.
He further noted that foreign workers who enter the Austrian labour market as part of WHP usually work in sectors where the need for staff is particularly high, especially in the catering industry.
This agreement includes a special feature that allows Austrian students and graduates to participate in the internship and trainee exchange program. Eligible young people can travel to the US at the beginning and end of their stay for one month each.
Moreover, this program welcomes apprentices as well. Claudia Plakolm, State Secretary for Youth in the Federal Chancellery, noted that apprentices in companies with international locations would particularly benefit from the Working Holiday, as it simplifies apprentice rotations.
Working Holiday gives young people the opportunity to broaden their horizons in every way and gain comprehensive international experience. We can be proud that Austria, as the only EU country, has accomplished such an agreement with the US.
Meanwhile, the Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, emphasised the importance of the Austria-US partnership.
With our working holiday program, we fill the strategic partnership with life and create even closer human bonds in the future.
Working holiday programs (WHP) allow young people worldwide to work abroad, gaining practical experience while also enjoying the opportunity to travel. Through these programs, students and young professionals can partially finance their stay abroad.
In addition to the US, Austria has recently reached working holiday agreements with Argentina, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.
