Gesellenbetreuung

Gesellenbetreuung: From the 16^th century, journeymen were required to work under different masters and at different locations if they wanted to become masters themselves and therefore wandered from place to place. During the 18^th century journeymen were issued special passports (Kundschaften) that guaranteed them accommodation in lodging houses owned by the guilds. The beginning of the 19^th century (beginning of industrialisation) marked the end of the traditional travels of journeymen. After that time, denominational journeymen´s associations were formed and aimed at providing a Christian environment, training and education as well as places where journeymen could specialise. In Austria, Father A. Kolping ("Kolpinghäuser") was a pioneer in this field, and many such associations were founded in accordance with his principles (1852 in Vienna, 1855 in the diocese of St. Pölten), the last one in 1927.