As the largest Austrian private employer and the largest private apprentice training organisation in Austria, SPAR Austria is aware that it has a social responsibility. The commitment of SPAR Austria to employee development is showcased through the SPAR Academy in Vienna. The Academy is one of Europe’s most innovative development centres, offering training to apprentices in a modern and high-tech teaching environment.   

The apprenticeship training at the SPAR Academy in Vienna goes far beyond the usual vocational school curriculum, with the Academy offering an extraordinary combination of specialist training and numerous exciting additional training courses. 

Within the curriculum, sustainability is a top priority at the SPAR Academy in Vienna. In cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Ministry of Environment, the Academy offers additional training in the third year, during which apprentices are trained to become Green Champions. With the training as Fairtrade Ambassadors and Green Champions, apprentices are provided with everything they need to know about environmentally friendly and sustainable retailing practices.   

The SPAR Academy in Vienna recruits apprentices focusing on food retail from the federal province of Vienna to work in other regions where stores are operated by SPAR Austria. Annually, around 1,000 young people apply to join the Academy, of which 400 are invited to personal interviews to gauge their suitability for the programme. The curriculum includes a focus on cultural integration, with a strong emphasis on cross-cultural education. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded, in-depth knowledge of SPAR Austria's role in its communities. In this way, the SPAR Academy is preparing its trainees with the right knowledge, skills and competencies to thrive in Austria's food trade environment.   

The SPAR Academy in Vienna takes a unique approach to education, preparing young people for life and the professional world. Apprentices not only receive the best training but also the basis for career advancement opportunities within the SPAR Austria Group.

The SPAR Austria Academy in Vienna recently also received the "Ambassador School of the European Parliament" certificate.