In Austria there are Höhere Technische Lehranstalten (HTL, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6here_Technische_Lehranstalt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6

In Austria there are Höhere Technische Lehranstalten (HTL, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6here_Technische_Lehranstalt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B6here_Technische_Lehranst...) which offer vocational education (but the whole educational system is very different from the US and other countries, which is reflected in the problems faced in the conversion to the Bologna system, i.e. bachelor/master etc.). Over 5 years, students (usually aged 14 when they enter the school) receive practical training in programming as well as a theoretical foundation, though in no way as thoroughly as in any university program. In the first year of the informatics branch they let students enjoy the beauty of programming linked lists in C, which is quite tough for many.