A Cross-Company Culture Club
Our CCC at AMS and BFI
64,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in Austria are currently neither in employment nor in education. They are urgently searching for perspective, direction and a place to belong. The initiative #HiddenPotentials by Heinz Herczeg addresses this personal, social and economic challenge.
And this is where our Culture Club Community comes in.
Many of us talk about skills shortages but few are familiar with the institutions, associations and platforms of the AMS–BFI ecosystem. These are the organisations that prepare young adults through company apprenticeships (ÜBA) for working life. We met them — and and they quickly became part of our Culture Club family.
High-Flying Apprentices
The highlight of the evening: four young adults from Chechnya, India, Germany and Turkey shared their personal journeys, their training experiences — and their wishes: internship opportunities and, later on, jobs in e-commerce, construction and facilities, electrical engineering and renewable energy.
A Clear View of Reality
AMS Executive Board Member Petra Draxl and Deputy Managing Director of AMS Lower Austria Karmen Frena painted a clear and data-driven picture of the youth labour market.
While public discourse often claims that “young people no longer want to work,” the data tells a very different story: one of motivation, commitment and a strong desire to find their place.
“Inclusion often only happens once people are already inside. But real inclusion starts by opening doors for those who are still outside,”
says Heinz Herczeg — and illustrates this mindset with two powerful examples.
#HiddenPotentials — BILLA, MAN & BFI Vienna
Martina Aubke from BILLA showed how inclusive employment creates both human and economic value. Since 2019, BILLA has saved more than €2 million in compensation levies — and in 2024 even received a credit. Social responsibility and sound business practices make a strong team.
Jan-Erik Beerstecher from MAN presented the Clean-Up & Connect format, demonstrating how easily accessible encounters can open real opportunities.
Both organisations cooperate closely with Cristian Nowak from the BFI Vienna Vocational Training Centre, who explained how inter-company apprenticeships give young people guidance, structure and a realistic entry into working life.
HR at the Ministry of Social Affairs — Stability in Times of Change
The second keynote took us into a world that remains hidden to many:
How does the HR function looks like when the structure of the ministries and the responsible ministers are constantly changing?
Johanna Kleinfercher-Alberer, Head of HR at the Ministry of Social Affairs, delivered a clear answer:
HR is the foundation of stability — and it belongs at the decision-making table.
Between political headwinds and administrative rigidity, HR builds bridges, holds culture together and ensures people have a clear direction — even when everything around them is in motion.
An evening full of good WHYbes with our CCC Community. Curious to learn more about our Corporate Culture Club?
Click here to explore upcoming CCCs.
© Photo Olivia Schwarz| Jolly Schwarz