Programmes and measures to support innovation, attractiveness and modernisation of VET, and strengthen cooperation with Higher Education

The new certified technician programme was introduced in Technicums. The local programme is prepared jointly by a Technicum secondary school and a higher education institution based on a cooperation agreement and is delivered in the last three years (specialised vocational subjects) of the five-year Technicum programme to those learners who have successfully completed the first two-year cycle and passed the basic sectoral exam. Holders of the certified technician qualification may have their learning recognised when enrolling in higher education (in the given higher education institution, thus getting 30 credits considered as fulfilled, or even shortening the duration of the HE programme. Learners following the specialisation years of the Technicum programme in the framework of dual training (with a vocational employment contract with a company) may continue their practical training with the same company when following up vocational studies in a higher education institution.

In the school year 2021/22, in 27 Technicums affiliated to 16 VET centres and cooperating with 13 universities in 10 economic sectors (especially in the fields of engineering, information and technology and economics), 917 enroled students have chosen this type of programme.

In the school year 2022/23, the certified technician programme was expanded: it is organised in 42 Technicums affiliated to 23 VET centres and cooperating with 17 universities in 13 economic sectors.

In the framework of GINOP-6-1-10-VEKOP-19 project, production simulation tools have been acquired and training courses has been implemented on these tools to provide a foundation for Industry 4.0 related knowledge.

In the framework of the development of project GINOP-6.2.6, the 1st round of the 'Model Company 2022/23' competition was completed in 2022, with 38 teams having fulfilled the criteria. Round 2 was completed on 20 December 2022. The 'web design' video teaching material for this round has been published and the completion date is ongoing, but no later than 30 April 2023.

Under the RRF-2.2.2-23 '21st Century Vocational Training Institutions Development Programme', construction and infrastructure investments are carried out at 34 sites within 31 VET institutions, across 18 VET Centres.

Key developments include:

1. energy efficiency improvements and the installation of renewable energy systems in buildings;
2. modernisation of school workshops;
3. transformation of educational spaces for the digital and green transition;
4. upgrading equipment and purchasing digital assets, including 13 825 ICT tools to enhance digital skills development.

The programme aims to create an attractive learning environment, improve vocational education quality, and modernise VET infrastructure and equipment.

1. Project submission deadline: 7 September 2023
2. Physical completion deadline: 31 March 2026
3. Maximum total funding: EUR 236.60 million (HUF 95.81 billion)

The project is part of a multi-phase initiative launched in 2019, beginning with national funding for the development of four VET centres as a pilot under the '21st Century Vocational Schools' development programme.

Due to the emergency rules introduced by Government Decree 174/2023 (12 May 2023), the existing supporting documents for centrally funded construction projects lost their validity on 23 May 2023. As a result, only two of the four originally planned developments were implemented, and even these had to be implemented with a reduced scope compared to the initial plans:

1. Miskolc VET Centre: Complex development of Szemere Bertalan Technicum, Vocational School and College and Szentpáli István Trade and Hospitality Technicum and Vocational School, along with equipment acquisition for Kandó Kálmán Information Technology Technicum;
2. Győr VET Centre: Complex development of Pattantyús-Ábrahám Géza Technicum.

Between 13 October 2021 and 31 August 2022, the RRF-2.0.0-2021-00001 project, titled '21st Century VET Institutional Development Programme', was implemented to establish the framework and professional conditions for the RRF-2.2.2-23 project.

In the school year 2023/24, the certified technician programme was expanded: it is organised in 97 Technicums and cooperating with 23 universities in 20 economic sectors.

Courses were organised in the framework of GINOP 6.1.10 project that aimed to equip secondary school students with the technological knowledge needed to understand the operation, application, and benefits of Industry 4.0 manufacturing simulation solutions acquired through the project. A total of 15 671 participants took part in the training, of whom 14 805 (12 314 men and 2 491 women) received a certificate or diploma.

Under GINOP 6.1.9. project, businesses in transport and related sectors could apply for support to train their employees. IVET students (grades 9–12) also participated in skill development courses. The Institute of Transport Sciences and Logistics Nonprofit Ltd (KTI), with support from the National Office for VET and AL (NOVETAL) as the consortium partner, provided opportunities for groups of students to train using various simulation tools. These sessions were conducted at KTI's headquarters, in virtual classrooms, and across 18 cities nationwide. The courses were designed to align with, complement, and enhance the students’ IVET studies. For instance, students in the mechanical engineering sector participated in welding simulator training, those in the transport and logistics sectors learnt forklift operation, and students specialising in vehicle manufacturing practised using painting simulators.

On February 3, 2023, the TOP 100 Technicums ranking was published for the first time, based on data provided by the National Office for VET and Adult Learning (NOVETAL). Compiled by IKK, this ranking helps those who are about to select a pathway in IVET. It evaluates schools based on both input and output performance, aiming to highlight the added value of each institution in terms of educational effectiveness. The ranking considers factors such as the VET teacher-to-student ratio, the digital coverage of the institutions, and students' academic performance upon entering technicums. It also examines the ratio of repeaters to the total student population and the results of general and vocational baccalaureate examinations, using six key indicators in its analysis.

The popularity of certified technician training continues to grow. In the 2024/25 school year:

1. 139 IVET institutions launched 297 certified technician training courses across 20 sectors;
2. 28 higher education institutions partnered in the training of certified technicians.

From the 2023/2024 academic year onwards, certified technician programmes may also be offered within post-secondary VET programmes preparing learners for professional examinations (typically two-year programmes building on the secondary school-leaving certificate).

The TOP 100 Technicums ranking is published annually. The 2024 TOP 100 Technicums ranking by county was released on 6 February, 2024, along with the TOP 10 Technicums in Budapest.

With the amendment of the Higher Education Act in December 2023, Parliament decided that universities may establish a pre-student status for 13th-grade students of technicums. In the second semester of the 2023/24 academic year, Széchenyi István University became the first in the country to offer this status to graduating students from nine technicums located in Győr, Szombathely, Budapest, Zalaegerszeg, and Kaposvár, under certain conditions. Each higher education institution has the discretion to determine the conditions under which it will grant pre-student status to graduates of technicums. The programme aims to support students who wish to continue their studies at the tertiary level and are therefore willing to undertake additional courses during the final year of their IVET studies.

For example, if a student knows they want to study mechanical engineering, the agreement between the technicum and the university allows the student to pursue partial studies and earn micro-credentials in certain subject contents during their technicum studies, which will count as credits toward higher education studies. If the student meets the criteria set by the agreement between the university and the VET institution during their technicum studies, the higher education institution may admit the student on its own initiative, bypassing the central university admission procedure. This measure aims to enhance the excellence of VET and make it more attractive by facilitating progression to higher education and enriching the secondary VET programme with advanced content developed in cooperation with universities.

In 2023, 66 719 students were admitted to higher education under the general admission procedure for undergraduate studies, of whom 20 615 (30.9%) came from IVET programmes. There were 5 489 students admitted to higher VET (which falls under the Higher Education Act in Hungary), of whom 2 157 (39.3%) had an IVET background. The table below shows comparable data on student enrolment in higher education for the years 2021-23.

The excellence of agricultural VET is also promoted by the Széchenyi 2020 programme's call for proposals, VP1-1.2.1-23 Support for demonstration farms. This initiative is co-financed by the European Union’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the budget of Hungary with a financial support of EUR 2 366 960.83 (HUF 968 109 854) and a co-financing of EUR 258 359.19 (HUF 105 671 404). The project is being implemented from 1 March 2024 to 1 August 2025. The aim of this project is to encourage participation in lifelong learning through the development of demonstration farms, school workshops in agricultural IVET institutions affiliated with agricultural VET centres, and experimental farms in research institutes and higher education institutions.

Under the call for proposals GINOP-6.2.7-20 (EDIOP), entitled ‘Infrastructure and Professional Preparation of Sectoral Training Centres (ÁKKs) for the New VET Structure’, the 24 established Sectoral Training Centres (ÁKKs) were provided with the opportunity to implement large-scale, complex workshop development projects, including infrastructure upgrades and equipment procurement.

In the framework of the VET Strategy 4.0 and its Action Plan, five sectoral Knowledge Centres are to be established by 2030 to promote excellence in VET, linking VET with higher education and key economic actors in the region. So far, there is one Knowledge Centre in Hungary, the Forestry Sector Knowledge Centre. Its main activities include organising dual vocational training and supporting IVET institutions in delivering modern theoretical and practical education based on state-of-the-art equipment, as well as promoting effective cooperation between secondary and higher education to foster innovation. In 2024, the Ginop Plusz 5.1.1 project, entitled Establishment of Vocational Sectoral Knowledge Centres, was launched. Under this project, VET centres managed by the Minister responsible for VET can apply for non-refundable support to establish Vocational Knowledge Centres.

Progression to Higher Education:

The number of applicants and admitted students to higher education in the framework of the general admission procedure has evolved as follows:

Certified technician programme:

The range of institutions authorised to launch certified technician programmes continues to expand. In the 2025/2026 academic year, 162 technicums have permission to offer certified technician programmes in cooperation with 28 universities, across 20 sectors. According to a survey carried out by IKK in December 2025, a total of 6815 students participate in the programme.

Knowledge Centres:

Under the standard project titled ‘Establishment of Vocational Sectoral Knowledge Centres’ (GINOP Plusz-5.1.1-24), five vocational training centres were awarded financial support: the Budapest Technology VET Centre, the Dunaújváros VET Centre, the Győr VET Centre, the Siófok VET Centre, and the Szerencs VET Centre. The focus areas of the knowledge centres are as follows: information technology and telecommunications in Budapest, mechanical engineering in Dunaújváros, specialised machinery and vehicle manufacturing in Győr, electronics and electrical engineering in Balatonfüred, and food industry in Szerencs. A Vocational Sectoral Knowledge Centre is an organisation established by a VET centre, a university and one or more companies for the purpose of implementing dual training in the training centre.

Infrastructure developments:

The programme announced in 2018 under the name ’21st Century VET Schools’ is linked to the ’Creating an Attractive Environment’ pillar of the VET 4.0 Strategy. The aim of the programme is to renew VET institutions operating under state maintenance in various cities. This complex development programme includes building renovation, energy efficiency improvements, the installation of systems ensuring the use of renewable energy sources, the development of training workshops, community spaces, and classrooms, the transformation of educational environments, the modernisation of educational technology and professional training equipment, the renewal of digital and material assets, and the expansion of green areas.

Between 2020 and 2025, based on data provided by the 41 VET centres maintained by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, more than 200 major workshop development projects were carried out (in addition to the developments implemented under EU co-financed projects). These developments can be considered significant in the sense that they provided clearly perceivable, high-quality added value for learners.

Technicum ranking and promotion of VET:

To raise the attractiveness and visibility of VET and technicums, building on the Technicum Ranking, the first-ever vocational education and training gala (’Have a Profession in Your Hands!’ – Carpathian Basin Excellence Gala of Technicums’) was organised in 2025, attracting wide public attention. One of the key objectives of the gala was, among others, to have a positive impact on career orientation.

Microcredentials in VET:

Starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, legislation enables VET institutions to issue microcredentials to VET learners for the acquisition of learning outcomes integrated into the institutions’ professional programmes beyond those included in the programme and outcome requirements, representing skills and competences applicable to the local labour market or other innovative learning components. The microcredential issued by the VET institution can be taken into account in the course of the student’s higher education studies if the credit transfer committee of the higher education institution approves it.

The Hungarian legislation is based on the Recommendation on a European approach to micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability.

As one of the first best practices, the Szeged VET Centre, within the framework of its partnership with Chinese VET institutions, announced microcredential-based subjects for its learners, including in the specialised machinery and vehicle manufacturing sector.