History and Philosophy

The school was founded in 2010, born of a need I had identified through personal experience. There was no training for private household management in Austria. Only BUTLER BUREAU offers the opportunity in the German-speaking region to acquire well-founded knowledge in exclusive household management. This is now also possible through our Online Academy for all those who cannot attend the course in Wien.

Owing to the continual demand from employers for qualified household staff, the placement service was established and expanded with training as a House Manager or Butler. The advantage for the employer is that a professional standard of knowledge is assured across the household professions. New staff can therefore adapt quickly to the individual requirements of a particular household.

In Austria there are approximately 3,000 full-time employees in private households. This encompasses housekeepers, private chefs, private chauffeurs, nannies and butlers. The number of butlers is rising, as the butler in the 21st century becomes more of a House Manager — clearing the way for the employers, organising invitations, coordinating household staff, arranging travel and, depending on the size of the team, also preparing breakfast or meals, tidying, serving and even driving. The more versatile the participants, the greater the prospect of a fascinating position at home or abroad. The trend continues to rise.

Internationally, the need is greater still. Butlers and top-tier housekeepers are a sought-after professional group, particularly when well trained. As the only butler school in Austria, we TRAIN and ADVISE on the search for housekeepers and butlers, and we ensure the requisite skills are in place.

Almost anything can be learned, yet butlers and household staff should bring quite particular qualities to the role. These include a refined and courteous bearing, a sense of responsibility, discretion and conscientiousness. A butler must master social situations with poise and adapt entirely to the wishes of the employer. Strong social skills are essential, as are a sense of order and resilience. Restraint, and the genuine pleasure of attending to the well-being of the employer, are of enormous importance. Those who can cook, hold a driving licence and possess fine German and English skills are also at an advantage. Household staff must, after all, be largely unencumbered as regards their time.