Voices from the social economy

Dr. Stefan Allgäuer
Managing Director of the Vorarlberg IfS

"As the managing director of the Institute for Social Services (IfS), a central concern of mine is an in-depth education in the field for people who would like to work in the social sphere. The FH Vorarlberg offers a good and solid fundamental education with its bachelor's degree programme in Social Work. Many of our current IfS staff are graduates of the FH Vorarlberg."

Peter Klinger
Director of Caritas (Charity)

"In Vorarlberg, Caritas (Charity) is one of the most important social organisations. Roughly 12,000 people per year who are in difficult situations can gain new perspectives through specific counselling, assistance and support. Approx. 320,000 people profit from our activities abroad (primarily Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ecuador and Armenia). A good portion of our over 400 staff members are graduates of Social Work in the former Social Academy and now the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences. As an employer, we find these employees very well trained and value their high professional competency, creativity, flexibility and energy. For the university, we are glad to be a partner for internships in Austria and abroad as well as a reflection partner."

Martin Summer
Mayor Rankweil

"The market community of Rankweil has been relying on the services of social workers in the "Mitanand" office and with public youth work for some years now. The "Mitanand" office views itself as a contact point for all social questions in the market community of Rankweil and offers support to all the people that need help no matter what the reason. We have had excellent experience with the professional staff that has been hired by the IfS, so that it has been possible to implement many social projects, residential work and successful public youth work."

Manfred Ganahl, MSc
Managing Director, Jupident Foundation

"Increasingly more FHV graduates in the area of Social Work are employed on our multi-professional teams. 'Social pedagogy meets Social Work' is the motto we live by. The tasks range from classical social-pedagogic work with children to concrete work with youths and young adults in daily life. No less important is the work with the parent system and good collaboration with various system partners. We attach great importance to authenticity, dedication, a great ability to empathise, the willingness to identify with the kids entrusted to us, and much humour. We look forward to your initiative applications."