Towards academic professionalization?

A conceptual contribution to the transformation of early childhood education and care training in Austria

Abstract

As part of the efforts to increase the number of qualified early childhood education and care staff, the expansion of training program opportunities has led to a more heterogeneous and fragmented training system in Austria. Recently, a bachelor’s degree program has introduced an academic pathway into the field of early childhood education and care. However, the goal of a coherent and integrated academicized training system has yet to be achieved, and the role of academic professionalization remains contested. Based on theoretical perspectives on professionalization and the current training program opportunities in Austria, this article outlines a future perspective of an academicized training system and aims to stimulate further debate.