Sector: Education
The “Women in Green Business” initiative is a nationwide Austrian training programme designed to empower women entering or re-entering the labour market by providing them with practical green skills, business knowledge, and entrepreneurial competencies in sustainability-driven industries.
Background
The programme was launched by the Frauen im Handwerk Initiative, in collaboration with the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) and local chambers of commerce (WKO). It responds to Austria’s shortage of skilled labour in renewable energy, sustainable crafts, and circular economy sectors, and the underrepresentation of women in green and technical professions. The training focuses on three main areas:
1. Green entrepreneurship – developing business ideas that align with sustainability goals.
2. Green technologies & crafts – gaining practical knowledge in renewable energy, eco-design, and resource-efficient production.
3. Digital skills for sustainable business – mastering tools for online marketing, e-commerce, and green innovation management.
and combines hands-on workshops, mentoring, and career coaching to enable women to start their own sustainable ventures or to transition into green jobs.
Key Principles
1. Gender-aware training environment:
The programme was designed specifically for women, creating a safe and encouraging learning environment that allows participants to explore technical and entrepreneurial fields without gender bias. Training groups are limited to 12–15 participants to ensure individual attention.
2. Mentorship and role models:
Participants are matched with female mentors—successful women working in sustainable businesses or technical trades—who provide ongoing mentorship, career advice, and networking opportunities. This peer and role-model approach increases self-confidence and professional identity.
3. Integrated learning approach:
Training modules combine technical skills (e.g., installation of solar systems, eco-friendly materials, sustainable product design) with entrepreneurship and digital competence (e.g., business modelling, financing, and digital marketing).
4. Cooperation with employers:
The initiative partners with local SMEs and sustainability-focused enterprises to offer internships and job placements, ensuring that participants can apply their new skills in real business contexts.
5. Certification and recognition:
Graduates receive the “Green Business Starter” Certificate, endorsed by AMS Wien and WKO, improving employment opportunities and credibility for those starting their own sustainable businesses.
Performance Indicators
Indicator
Participation rate (gender-disaggregated)
Description
Number of women enrolled and completing training per year.
Indicator
Employment/self-employment rate
Description
Percentage of graduates entering the labour market or starting businesses within six months.
Indicator
Satisfaction and empowerment score
Description
Participant feedback on confidence, skills, and readiness for green entrepreneurship.
Indicator
Mentorship engagement
Description:
Number of active mentors–mentee matches and hours of mentorship provided.
Indicator
Business creation impact
Description
Number of sustainable businesses launched, or jobs created through alumni initiatives.
Lessons Learned
• Tailored, gender-specific approaches significantly enhance women’s participation in technical and green industries.
• Combining entrepreneurship with hands-on technical training ensures practical applicability and long-term motivation.
• Mentorship from successful women in sustainability serves as a key driver for confidence and persistence.
• Institutional cooperation between public employment services, chambers, and private enterprises ensures long-term viability.
Impact and Outcomes
The main benefits and outcomes of this practice include:
• Economic empowerment: Women gain the confidence and competence to start sustainable businesses or enter green professions.
• Increased female participation in technical fields: Over 60% of graduates move into employment or self-employment in green industries.
• Bridging the gender gap: The programme raises visibility and acceptance of women in technical and sustainability-related trades.
• Social and environmental impact: Trained women contribute to community-level sustainability initiatives and local green business ecosystems.
Transferability & Scalability
Replication potential: The modular training can be adopted by other regions or sectors (e.g., tourism, agriculture, energy), especially where women’s participation in green sectors remains low. It requires coordination between training institutions, employment agencies, and female business networks, and can easily integrate local sustainability priorities such as energy transition, circular crafts, or green design.
Contact Person: /
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Websites /Resources:
• AMS Wien – Frauenförderung & Weiterbildung (Women Promotion & Training): https://www.ams.at/regionen/wien
• Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO) – Green Skills & Sustainability in Crafts: https://www.wko.at/service/umwelt-energie/green-skills.html
• Frauen im Handwerk Initiative – Official Programme Overview: https://www.frauenimhandwerk.at
• Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft (BMAW) – Green Economy & Gender Equality in VET: https://www.bmaw.gv.at/Themen/Arbeit/GreenJobs.html
• AMS Research Report: Frauen in technischen und handwerklichen Berufen (2024): https://www.ams.at/ueber-ams/forschung