Adult education and training in the VET Act LXXX of 2019

According to the Act LXXX of 2019 on VET, vocational training providers started submitting PKs from 1 July 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic hampered substantially the implementation of the VET Act LXXX of 2019.

Government Decree 95/2021 (II. 27) amended certain provisions related to VET and adult education laid down in different government decrees. The amendments reduced the administrative burden in adult education:

1. from 2021, adult training providers do not have to provide data for the National statistical data collection programme (Országos Statisztikai Adatfelvételi Program, OSAP); they have to register/authorise their training offer instead in the FAR adult training reporting system (Felnottképzési Adatszolgáltatási Rendszer) and the respective data will be forwarded by FAR to the OSAP;
2. another important change, which simplifies adult training provider obligations to provide data, is reducing the amount of (personal) data which they have to provide (such as on gender, address and the tax identification number of learners enrolled in adult training programmes);

In the school year 2020/21, more than 13 885 adults participated in vocational adult education and acquired 107 basic vocational occupations in 306 institutions affiliated to 41 VET centres. Of this number, 4 000 adults fulfilled studies in a shortened form: instead of two years, between 6 and17 months.

An important financial incentive was introduced recently for adult learners: as of 31 May 2021, learners in adult training can apply for a state supported, interest-free study loan, with 20% self-contribution.

The features of the study loan are:

1. available on request for adult training is a maximum amount of EUR 1 250 (HUF 500 000 );
2. the duration of the adult training course must be at least three months;
3. at least 20% of the training fee has to be paid for the adult training provider as self-contribution;
4. the requested amount is transferred in two payments (at the beginning of the course and at half-way point) by the Student Loan Centre to the adult training provider;
5. the loan can be requested on the first day of the training or at any time thereafter;
6. the interest is 0% without any hidden costs.

Adult training licences under the 'old' system expired on 31 December 2022, and as of 1 January 2023, adult training activities can only be carried out under the new legislation.

Act LIX of 2022 amending certain acts related to higher education, vocational training and adult education was promulgated on 19 December 2022. It transfers the competence to keep the register of PKs and regulate the registration procedure from the Minister responsible for VET to the Minister responsible for adult training from 1 March 2023.

Other provisions of the Act regarding changes in adult training include the creation of an Expert Body on Adult Training (Felnottképzési Szakértoi Testület), the tightening of rules on data provision, the certification of face-to-face and non-contact lessons, the advertising of adult training providers and the introduction of the concept of micro-credentials.

VET institutions under the VET Act of 2019 may issue micro-credentials on the knowledge and skills acquired in vocational education subject to the content and conditions specified in the VET Act. A micro-credential is a public document. The micro-credential must be issued, stored, and uploaded electronically to the adult training reporting system module (Felnottképzési Adatszolgáltatási Rendszer - FAR).

Regulations introduced by the 2023 amendments to the VET Act and its implementing decree:

1. VET in adult legal status (other than school based full time education between the age of 18 and 25) can begin at any time during the school year, regardless of the standard schedule of the school year.
2. if a business entity provides training for its own employees by amending an existing employment contract, the training place does not need to register as a dual training placement. In such cases, certain legal requirements for registered dual training placements do not apply. For example:
   1. the company instructor is not required to hold a Chamber Practical Instructor Examination.
   2. the vocational accredited examination centre does not need to issue a certificate for successful completion of the final examination, as the company cannot claim tax relief in this scenario.
3. adult education providers must organise an external evaluation of their quality management system at least once every six years.

Regulations introduced by the 2023 amendments to the Adult Training Act:

1. exemptions from authorisation requirements: VET institutions and higher education institutions are exempt from requiring authorisation (licensing) to provide adult training activities.
2. the minister is empowered to regulate the following areas by decree:
3. the detailed rules for the organisation and implementation of contact-based, distance learning, and closed e-learning training, as well as the monitoring of data reporting obligations.
4. the content and conditions for issuing micro-certificates and the rules for submitting them to the FAR system by adult training providers (the FAR system is the adult training data supply system that maintains an electronic register of adult training providers and experts, records announced trainings, issues certificates and micro-credentials, and provides data on training loans).

Commitments to the European Year of Skills:

Hungary has aligned itself with the objectives of the European Year of Skills. Government Decision No. 1276 of 2023 entrusted the Ministry of Culture and Innovation with the following responsibilities:

1. coordinating thematic year programmes;
2. organising events to promote skills and competences;
3. producing publications on skills development.

Additionally, the Minister of Culture and Innovation has been tasked with:

1. developing a detailed concept for the introduction of the Individual Learning Account in Hungary (deadline: 1 July 2024). This initiative was supported by the European Commission's Technical Support Instrument between January 2023 and May 2024. The main steps were:
   1. Situation analysis: A comprehensive review of the adult education system to identify key challenges;
   2. Application of international experience: Studying and adapting best practices from other countries;
   3. Consultations and workshops: Dialogue and cooperation with stakeholders during the development of the system.
   4. Developing a roadmap: Creating a detailed action plan for the implementation and operation of the system.

The result will be a single digital portal featuring a register of accredited training courses and providers. Users will be able to create personal learning accounts to help them select training courses and make informed decisions. The implementation schedule and action plan extend until 2030, with practical implementation planned for that year.

1. creating a national framework for micro-credentials (deadline: 31 December, 2024).

The Hungarian government has also started amending legislation to support micro-credentials, with changes taking effect from January 2023. The most recent legislation on micro-credentials (Decree 39/2024 of the Minister of Culture and Innovation) regulates the content and conditions of issue of micro-credentials in adult training.

In 2024, the Adult Training Act was further amended, removing the exemption for higher education institutions from the authorisation requirement. As a result, only VET institutions can conduct adult training activities without a licence, while higher education institutions must now obtain authorisation.