The provincial government approved an extension of a nursing recruitment project with through 2032. Backed by the ÖVP and FPÖ on November 3, 2026, the three-million-euro initiative aims to bring 110 new students to the region for training.
Participants complete German courses at home before attending the International Nursing Center in Krems via . Currently, 69 graduates work in state care centers, while 75 others will finish their training by September 2027.
While the FPÖ now supports the extension after opposing the 2022 pilot, SPÖ councilor Sven Hergovich criticized the move. He argues for prioritizing better pay and conditions for current staff over the recruitment of foreign workers for regional facilities.