Hungary: methodological support for VET teachers through sectoral knowledge sharing

The medium-term strategy, known as ‘VET 4.0’, endorsed by the Government of Hungary in 2019, launched a wave of changes aimed at renewing the structure, content and methodologies in the Hungarian VET system.

In the first years, the ministry responsible for VET, alongside its associated institutions, organised targeted training sessions and information forums for heads of VET centres and VET schools to support embedding new teaching and organisational methodologies into practical application during the initial years of the strategy implementation.

From 2022, the professional-methodological support role of the IKK Innovative Training Support Center Plc. (IKK Plc.) has been strengthened: the company provides innovative solutions to promote the necessary shift in pedagogical approach and the development of the methodological culture of VET teachers, emphasising project-based learning.

January 2023 marked a significant leap with the establishment of 10 expert-led working groups, involving 42 innovative VET teachers as experts. These groups aimed to spearhead innovation in teaching practices, covering sectors such as wood and furniture industry, education, electronics and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, specialised machine and vehicle production, chemical industry, environmental protection and water affairs, food industry, and innovative training programmes such as flexible learning pathways and certified technician programmes.

Between February and October 2023, a total of 25 professional events (21 in person and 4 online) were organised, with a total of around 1 700 participants, focusing on the following topics:

• organisation of the sectoral basic examination and vocational (school-leaving) examination, compilation of exam assignments;
• good practices of project-based education and training, compilation of project tasks and portfolios;
• organisation of work-based training;
• integration of digital learning materials developed within the framework of EDIOP projects into everyday teaching activities;
• good practices in flexible learning pathways (aimed at reducing early school leaving);
• the experience of the first 2 years of certified technician programmes.

Professional events and workshops every 2 or 3 months provide an opportunity for knowledge sharing, build a professional community and share latest information. The sectoral working groups have provided access to teachers from 328 VET schools, and indirectly impacted over 47 000 students. Additionally, other professional working groups reached out to teachers from nearly 200 VET schools, indirectly affecting over 6 000 students.

To monitor the efficiency of the work described above, IKK Plc. conducted a needs assessment and measured satisfaction in four sectors using a quantitative method. Based on the number of participants (80-100 per event) and the results of the satisfaction questionnaires completed (average score of 4.5 on a scale of 5), the series of programmes proved to be very popular.

Looking forward, the expansion of the working groups is foreseen across all sectors.

Read more (in Hungarian)

• Sectoral knowledge sharing launched
• Learning by playing
• "I am not alone”
• Together, sharing knowledge, we will be better
• Innovative training for the technicians of the future
• You can’t do it alone!
• Conference on the experience of flexible learning pathways in the Siófok Vocational Training Centre
• "If you want to go far, go with others!"
• School year launch day for the wood and furniture sector
• Education sector school year launch day
• Experience and discovery in technical education