Hammer and heart: young and old create new club in Alsergrund!

Hammer and heart: young and old create new club in Alsergrund!

A newly renovated club will open its doors in Vienna-Alsergrund in the coming days. Thanks to the commitment of apprentices from the vocational schools for painters, coating technicians and the Kagran construction industry, as well as retired specialists, the club will shine in a fresh splendor from November 3, 2025. This project is not only a successful renovation, but also a remarkable example of cooperation between young and old.

The renovation included an impressive 120 liters of wall paint and 135 square meters of new flooring. The project was supported by the Vienna State Guild of the Construction Industry and the Chamber of Commerce, which worked together with ETS Egger GmbH and the vocational schools. The project manager Sabine Stadler, district team leader of the pensioners' club, highlights the functional and visual renovation that is intended to revitalize the club.

Positive interaction between generations

A particularly exciting aspect of the project is the exchange between the apprentices and the retired professionals. Erdem Abdullah, an apprentice, describes the practical application of what he has learned and the conversations with seniors as valuable experiences. Retired master painter Peter Tomaschitz also calls working with the young people a thoroughly positive experience. This exemplary project received praise from Christian Dobianer, the guild master of the Vienna construction industry, who described it as a “showcase project”.

The graduation ceremony, which will take place next Friday, will present the apprentices with certificates and offer the seniors vouchers for a visit to the “Grandma-Grandpa Brewery”. The two retired club members Otto and Sabauis brought a total of 120 years of professional experience to the project, which is not only practical, but also a piece of lived history.

Dual training and its advantages

But it's not just local projects like the club renovation that show how important practical training is. Germany has worked with over 100 countries to introduce the dual system of vocational training, which combines practical skills with theoretical knowledge. This has proven to be an effective remedy against youth unemployment and skills shortages, as shown on deutschland.de is to be read.

In particular, countries such as Spain, Greece and Italy have expressed interest in adopting the dual model. This shows how important close networking between social partners and continuous evaluation is for the future of vocational training. Some nations, including the United States and several African countries, are relying on sending “skills experts” to help build the system worldwide.

Housing and engagement for young people

The “Young Living” initiative in Vienna is another example of how affordable housing can be combined with social commitment. Over twelve locations in the city offer young people in training the opportunity to live inexpensively while at the same time doing voluntary work for seniors. Around 50 people currently live in these “houses to live in”, where the monthly rent is between 256 euros and 408 euros and the residents provide their support through 25 hours of voluntary work per month.

The young people not only make contributions to the community, but also benefit from discounted food offers and the opportunity to actively participate in social life.

Both the club's renovation and the programs for young people in Vienna show how positive change can be achieved through committed collaboration and a creative approach to social challenges.