- 2015Pilot
- 2016Pilot
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Legislative process
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Legislative process
- 2023Legislative process
- 2024Implementation
Background
The position of practical training instructor is not included (listed) in the Act on Pedagogical Staff (No 563/2004 Coll.) even if an instructor performs responsible work and is in an intensive 'pedagogical contact' with VET school students.
Description
Recommendations issued by the education ministry in 2016 on agreements between VET schools and enterprises for in-company training of learners stipulate that a professional qualification and necessary experience are mandatory features of these contracts.
A school, in cooperation with the provider, should ensure, that instructors of practical training will be acquainted with:
- basic concepts, principles and ways of pedagogical work with students;
- the regulations of occupational health and safety, fire safety, and Decree No 180/2015 Coll., (Decree on prohibited work and workplaces);
- the content, methods and goals of the implementation of practical training;
- the content of framework educational programmes and school educational programmes;
- the organisation of teaching.
Qualification requirements are not prescribed by any law, but the Recommendation mentions that the instructor should be qualified. This may be completed upper secondary VET in the relevant field, or a certificate of qualification included in the National register of qualifications, or a completed training course.
A 40-hour training course for trainers in companies was designed and piloted in 2015 within the ESF-supported Pospolu project. It focused on:
- familiarising them with the relevant VET programmes;
- pedagogy and teaching methods;
- psychology and learner guidance;
- training organisation and work with curricula;
- health and safety requirements during workplace...
Recommendations issued by the education ministry in 2016 on agreements between VET schools and enterprises for in-company training of learners stipulate that a professional qualification and necessary experience are mandatory features of these contracts.
A school, in cooperation with the provider, should ensure, that instructors of practical training will be acquainted with:
- basic concepts, principles and ways of pedagogical work with students;
- the regulations of occupational health and safety, fire safety, and Decree No 180/2015 Coll., (Decree on prohibited work and workplaces);
- the content, methods and goals of the implementation of practical training;
- the content of framework educational programmes and school educational programmes;
- the organisation of teaching.
Qualification requirements are not prescribed by any law, but the Recommendation mentions that the instructor should be qualified. This may be completed upper secondary VET in the relevant field, or a certificate of qualification included in the National register of qualifications, or a completed training course.
A 40-hour training course for trainers in companies was designed and piloted in 2015 within the ESF-supported Pospolu project. It focused on:
- familiarising them with the relevant VET programmes;
- pedagogy and teaching methods;
- psychology and learner guidance;
- training organisation and work with curricula;
- health and safety requirements during workplace training and legislation/regulations.
This course is still available on demand but is based on the idea of training the trainer: teachers from VET schools are trained to become trainers (lecturers in the course) to educate trainers from cooperating companies respecting the specific requirements of the sector or area. This would give those who intend to become or already work as trainers the opportunity to have their competences recognised by taking an exam, in line with the 2006 legislation on validation and recognition of continuing training outcomes.
By the end of 2019, over 130 people had participated in the course; since 2018 representatives of employers were also interested in participation. In April 2017, vocational qualification designed with the Pospolu project has been approved under the title Instructor of practical training at a work-site and was referenced to the EQF level 5 and listed in National register of qualifications.
In April 2017, the qualification designed with the Pospolu project was approved under the title Instructor of practical training at a work-site and was referenced to the EQF level 5.
In 2019, an amendment to the Act on Pedagogical Staff was drafted and submitted for legislative process. For the position of teacher of practical training in VET schools, a certificate of the vocational qualification of Instructor of practical training at a work site which is included in the National register of qualifications would be one of the accepted certificates of the teaching skills. For this purpose, a new qualification has been prepared to join the current qualification for instructors in companies. It was designed especially for experts with ambitions to teach practical training at school.
The Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic continued to discuss the Amendment to the Act on Pedagogical staff.
The Amendment to the Act on Pedagogical Staff regarding requirements to practical training teachers was agreed by the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic at the end of January 2021 and was waiting for approval by the Senate. However, at the end of May, the Senate rejected it. The Chamber of Deputies postponed the vote on the Amendment and it had not been resubmitted to the Senate prior to the elections in the autumn of 2021.
In 2021, the National Strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises 2021-27 was approved. For the area of workforce, skills and education, it emphasises measures to support the training of instructors at practical training providers, their certifications and development of methodological materials.
The draft amendment to the act was reintroduced in the legislative process at the end of 2022.
Under the current legislation, no specific qualification is required for persons who perform the role of practical training instructors at employers' workplaces. Since 2017, only 12 persons have obtained the certificate of vocational qualification 'Instructor for a practical training at a work-site' listed in the National Register of Qualifications (NSK). In 2022, a total of 9 awarding bodies had this vocational qualification in their offer, mostly upper-secondary VET schools.
On 7 June 2023, the President of the Czech Republic signed an amendment to the Act on Pedagogical Staff (No. 563/2004 Coll.). This long-awaited amendment simplifies the process for trainers in companies seeking to become vocational teachers in schools. It expands existing opportunities for obtaining a teaching qualification thanks to new pathway for vocational teacher qualification. The amendment allows graduates of upper secondary VET programmes with Maturita examination or VET certificate to obtain the newly established Vocational Training Instructor qualification listed within the National Register of Qualifications (NSK). The education completed must be relevant to the subject taught (for example, a graduate of secondary education with VET certificate in cook-waiter (three year programme), after obtaining the vocational training instructor certificate (NSK), may work as a vocational training teacher in the same field. The amendment introduces a new requirement of at least 5 years of professional experience in the relevant field. The vocational qualification exam does not require prior formal education, although it is possible to follow a preparatory course if such a course is offered by educational institutions.
Additionally, in 2023, the qualification for Instructor of practical training at a work site was updated.
In 2024 there were 3 authorised entities for the Vocational Training Instructor qualification. As of September 2024, 7 persons have obtained a certificate of professional qualification. Meanwhile, 44 individuals received the vocational qualification as Instructor of practical training at a work site, a significant increase from only two certified individuals before 2020.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
- National Institute for Education (until 2019)
- National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic
Target groups
Education professionals
- Trainers
Entities providing VET
- Companies
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
This thematic sub-category refers to expanding VET to higher levels and developing VET programmes leading to qualifications at EQF levels 5-8.
Teachers, trainers and school leaders competences
Competent and motivated VET teachers in schools and trainers in companies are crucial to VET becoming innovative and relevant, agile, resilient, flexible, inclusive and lifelong.
This thematic category comprises policies and practices of initial training and continuing professional development approaches in a systemic and systematic manner. It also looks at measures aiming to update (entry) requirements and make teaching and training careers attractive and bring more young and talented individuals and business professionals into teaching and training. Supporting VET educators by equipping them with adequate competences, skills and tools for the green transition and digital teaching and learning are addressed in separate thematic sub-categories.
The measures in this category target teachers and school leaders, company trainers and mentors, adult educators and guidance practitioners.
This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of initial and continuing professional development (CPD) for VET educators who work in vocational schools and in companies providing VET. VET educators include teachers and school leaders, trainers and company managers involved in VET, as well as adult educators and guidance practitioners – those who work in school- and work-based settings. The thematic sub-category includes national strategies, training programmes or individual courses to address the learning needs of VET educators and to develop their vocational (technical) skills, and pedagogical (teaching) skills and competences. Such programmes concern state-of-the-art vocational pedagogy, innovative teaching methods, and competences needed to address evolving teaching environments, e.g. teaching in multicultural settings, working with learners at risk of early leaving, etc.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Qualification requirements for trainers in companies: Czechia. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/de/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28110