LINZ. Above all, the nursing grant should be an incentive to attract more young people to work in the nursing sector, says health officer and deputy governor Christine Haberlander (VP). From September 2022, the trainees will be paid 600 euros per month, regardless of the income of the family members. “As in all areas of our society and economy, we also face personnel challenges in the health care system. It is therefore all the more important for us in Upper Austria to develop a passion for the care sector and to support those in training financially,” says Haberlander. The amount will be paid out retrospectively at the end of 2022.
Extension for social care professions
Whether you are training to become a nursing assistant, a certified social worker or a bachelor’s degree in nursing science – all those people who are currently completing training at an Upper Austrian educational institution for nursing and are not receiving any measures to secure their livelihood are entitled to the nursing scholarship. “This is one of the central measures to inspire both newcomers and those switching to care and support. That is why in Upper Austria we are expanding this far beyond the federal requirements to include social care professions,” says Social Provincial Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (VP). Elderly care in particular has to strive for young people more than any other industry.
The nursing grant is financed jointly by the federal government and the state of Upper Austria as part of the federal nursing reform. Around 22.9 million euros are available for the coming year. “Recently there was a survey on the subject of nursing professions. 27 percent of the young respondents – that’s around 44,000 – stated that they could imagine a job in the nursing sector,” says Hattmannsdorfer. “Our goal must be to attract as many people as possible to the nursing sector. The nursing grant can provide a valuable incentive.”
Next step: training offensive “care” with the AMS
The so-called “AMS nursing grant” will be available from January 1, 2023 in order to inspire people who are changing careers to take up a career in nursing. Those people who take part in AMS training in the care sector will receive at least 1400 euros per month to cover their living expenses from the beginning of 2023. “This is the perfect complement to our Upper Austria nursing grant. With the initiative of Labor Minister Martin Kocher, people who are changing jobs can be specifically addressed. For example, this applies to young women and men after maternity leave,” says Hattmannsdorfer.
Source: Nachrichten
