Vorarlberg's Alps: deficiency? None! 1,000 Älpler secure tradition

Vorarlberg's Alps: deficiency? None! 1,000 Älpler secure tradition

The alpine economy in Vorarlberg is resistant and stable, despite the challenges that affect several sectors in Austria. As Vol.at , around 1,000 people are employed in about 500 Alps, whereby the personnel situation in Vorarlberg should be highlighted in comparison to other federal states. Martin Rusch from the country's agricultural department confirms that there have been no significant personnel bottlenecks for decades.

The tasks of the committed Älpler include the care of the pasture area, milking, cheese and preparing meals. The high proportion of young people between the ages of 20 and 30 who work in these professions is particularly striking. While individuals seeking self -discovery are hardly to be found on the Alps, there is a continued high need for specialist staff such as shepherds and censors.

careers and training offers

The payment is made in accordance with the collective agreement. For example, the minimum wage for sennines is around 70 euros net per day, which corresponds to a monthly income of around 2,100 euros. For ferial workers, the daily wage is 33 euros. In addition, the Vorarlberg Chamber of Agriculture supports special preparatory courses that focus on the professional processing of milk. In the current year, 75 people took part in three alpine -limited courses and eight in an entry -level course.

The interest of young people in the alpine economy also seems to be increasing. This became clear at the Alp Economic Day on April 1st in Hohenems, where numerous Älpler women were thanked for their many years of operation. Agricultural Councilor Christian Gantner emphasized the central role of alpine economy for the mountain regions and thanked the partners who contribute to the promotion of this sector, such as the Alp Wirtschaftsverein and the Chamber of Agriculture.

challenges and support

In total, over 40,000 animals were looked after in the Alps summer in 2024 on 509 Vorarlberg Alps. In addition to the traditional alpine industry, these also face challenges. The current presence of wolves and topics such as TBC must be addressed and mastered in practice. Vorarlberg has already made clear regulations for the targeted shooting of problematic wolves and invests in herd protection measures.

The economic importance of alpine economy is undeniable. In 2024, the Vorarlberg alpine industry received a total of 13.1 million euros, including 4.1 million euros from state funds. The agricultural strategy "Landwirt.schaft.leben" focuses on regional products and a fair compensation in working with gastronomy and consumers.