WIFI Philosophy

WIFI the brand

From the outset it was clear to those in charge at WIFI that education is a market and economic sector per se. Communication and self-image have consciously been pushed towards focusing on the customer. The WIFI brand  was established consistently, mostly via a standard advertising image. The courses were actively promoted and the annual WIFI course book was structured clearly and in a client-friendly manner. WIFI now enjoys a high degree of awareness (87 percent) and an annual turnover of EUR 125 million. Around 80 locations throughout Austria ensure clients have easy access to WIFI outlets.

WIFI goes international: 21st century

Today education and the imparting of knowledge are forms of capital that are successfully being exported abroad. WIFI has gradually become avtive in the neighboring countries of Central and Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Poland and Croatia. In these countries WIFI offers management courses, partially in a franchise system and in this way supports Austrian enterprises expanding into these countries.

With a market share of 20 percent, the WIFIs (WirtschaftsFörderungsInstitute) are the largest occupational education and further training institutes in Austria. About 290 000 participants attend roughly 25 200 courses a year. 11 000 trainers from business community work for the WIFIs. The WIFIs also continuously offer solutions for new requirements: each year, 20 percent of the educational products offered are innovations rolled out onto the market in the given course year.

Certificates/diplomas recognized by business community

The subject of certificates is becoming increasingly important for our clients. Because of our proximity to business we are able to ensure that participants acquire certificates that are recognized accredited and demanded by the business community, explains Dr. Michael Landertshammer -director of WIFI Austria. 

Many WIFI diplomas are conferred in cooperation with renowned, international partners – which given the international recognition of qualifications is a great benefit.

Individualization of learning

A further essential trend of learning is the strong demand for “accurate” training.

The motto is: “Just in time, just in place, just in solution”. The trend is for an  individualization of learning. There is a strong growth in demand for tailor-made training models.

Enterprises: knowledge, as a factor of competition

More and more enterprises are recognizing that knowledge and know-how are crucial competitive factors. The fast will not overtake the slow but rather the knowledgeable the ignorant.

Customized, tailor-made further education measures such as the WIFI in-house training courses ensure the enterprises that there is no wasted coverage.

e-Learning or face-to-face learning?

According to Landertshammer, the benefits of learning the new way are obvious: “eLearning can ensue anywhere, anytime, and is independent, time-flexible. " With microLearning, knowledge is being imparted in small bites so that participants do not become overloaded and are able to absorb what they have learned quickly and deeply.

The head of WIFI Austria knows that the best results are yielded with blended learning, meaning the combination of online and face-to-face learning in the course.

There are regular get-togethers at the WIFIs out of normal course hours, as desired by the course participants.

The current trend of course demands lies in the fields of health-care, foreign languages, engineering as well as business economics. Job-related certificates in all sectors (tourism, trade, industry) are in great demand too, as are seminars on personality development.