2025
Further pay raise for teachers in vocational education and training
In parallel with teachers working in general education, the government will again significantly increase the salaries of nearly 24,000 vocational education teachers by 21.1%, starting from 1 January 2025 (1396/2024. (XII. 16.) Korm. határozat). HUF 50 billion (EUR 124.2 million) is available from the central budget for the wage increase. The pay raise applies to all vocational training institutions, whether state, church or university-run, regardless of the provider. Thanks to the pay raise, the gross wage of career starter teachers and trainers will rise to HUF 705,000 (EUR 1,752), the gross wage of "non-career starters" to HUF 800,000 (EUR 1,988) and the gross wage of older teachers and trainers to HUF 950,000 (EUR 2,360).
2024
Restrictions on the use of mobile phones in VET institutions
The government has restricted (245/2024. (VIII. 8.) Korm. rendelet) the use of telecommunication devices, in particular mobile phones, as well as devices for recording images or sound, and smart devices for accessing the internet, in schools. The restrictions are also used in VET institutions. The restriction means that, from the 2024/2025 school year onwards, these devices may not be used during the day in grades 9-13 and must be kept locked away during classes in the dormitory. The only exceptions to this rule are those classes, workshops, and activities where the teacher or the school head authorises their use.
Supporting the acquisition of driving licences in secondary schools
From 1 September 2024, the state will provide free of charge to secondary school students, including VET students, the basic knowledge and practical skills needed to pass the test for a category B driving licence. The central digital study registration system will provide students with online access to course material on the basic traffic knowledge, including first aid, which they can complete at home on their own IT devices outside school hours. The exams are also organised by the secondary schools through the study registration system. First aid demonstration sessions are provided by the Hungarian National Ambulance Service.
Improving teachers' pay in vocational education and training
In parallel with teachers in public education, the government has also significantly increased the salaries of teachers in vocational education by an average of 32.0%, at a cost of HUF 60 billion. The government decision (Government Decision No. 1010 of 2024 (23 January) on the salary improvement of vocational education teachers) covers 24,000 teachers working in state and non-state vocational education institutions.
Further improving interoperability
Students who achieve excellent results in the fifth year of vocational education and training (technicum) may even be offered a preliminary student status by the higher education institution with which the VET school has a training cooperation. This innovation will facilitate access to higher education for young people in VET in a progressive way, in addition to the acquisition of a vocational qualification. Credits acquired in the meantime will be accepted and recognised by higher education institutions. The possibility was created by the amendment to the Higher Education Act (Act CCIV of 2011 on National Higher Education) (Act LXXXV of 2023 amending certain acts necessary to strengthen the interconnection of universities and research institutions and the economy, and amending certain acts on adult education and culture).
Significant infrastructure development for quality education and training
An unprecedented school infrastructure development programme has been launched in Hungarian vocational education and training, using almost HUF 100 billion. Under the "21st Century Vocational Education and Training Institution Development Programme", a complex development project will renovate or build 110,000 square metres of teaching space in 34 institutions, create display kitchens and workshops, and green up the energy systems of buildings. The National Authority for Vocational and Adult Education and Training, the Digital Government Development and Project Management Ltd. and 18 vocational training centres have jointly won a non-refundable grant of HUF 95.8 billion for the project.
The aim of the programme is to create an attractive learning environment in the vocational training centres, to create the conditions for quality vocational education, to improve the infrastructure and energy efficiency of the buildings, classrooms, workshops, laboratories and community spaces used in education and training, and to modernise the equipment used in the institutions. The project is being implemented with the support of the European Union's Instrument for Recovery and Resilience (RRF) and the Hungarian government.
2023
The Government reviewed and refined the VET 4.0 Strategy and the related Action Plan
The Government has refined the VET 4.0 strategy and the related Action Plan, revised the indicators and updated the palnned interventions, taking into account the experience of the VET system introduced from the 2020/2021 academic year and the expectations of the European Union on vocational and adult education. The changes have placed greater emphasis on basic competences, with particular emphasis on the development of literacy and maths, on compensating for disadvantage (special educational needs, disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged, disability) of learners and adults in training, on career guidance and counselling for learners and adults, and on measures to help adults with low educational attainment to enter the labour market and to raise their level of training. The revised Strategy (Szakképzés 4.0) and Action Plan (Cselekvési Terv) were adopted by Government Decision No. 1499 of 2023 (16 November) (1499/2023. (XI. 16.) Korm. határozat a 2021–2027 programozási időszak kohéziós célú támogatásainak kifizetését lehetővé tevő 4.2 „A nemek közötti egyenlőséget célzó nemzeti stratégiai keret” és a 4.3 „Az oktatási és képzési rendszer minden szintjét felölelő stratégiai szakpolitikai keret” tematikus feljogosító feltételek teljesítését alátámasztó dokumentumokról ).
Salary increase for instructors in vocational education and training
The salary of teachers in vocational education and training is increasing. The wage improvement implemented in two stages means a total increase of 15 percent in 2023. The government's goal is to further strengthen the vocational education and training system, which was renewed two years ago, and one of the important preconditions is the greater appreciation of instructors.
Apáczai scholarship
In addition to the general scholarship, students in mainstream VET schools can also receive a larger allowance. Apáczai scholarships of HUF 16,000 to 34,000 per month can be applied for by ninth- and tenth-graders from a disadvantaged situation and with good academic results. In addition to financial incentives, the program also provides talent support for young people with the involvement of mentors from HUF 3 billion. Vocational students receive a general scholarship of HUF 8,000 to 16,000 per month, depending on the type of school. In addition, the Apáczai scholarship recipients receive extra support and mentoring to develop their talent. The competitive and motivating salary system of mentors facilitates the involvement of professionals working at companies in vocational training, which can also increase the number of potential mentors.
Fine-tuning the vocational education and training system
Following the experience of the ex-post impact assessment of the VET reform, the government has fine-tuned the VET and adult learning system by amending the Vocational Education and Training Act, the Adult Education and Training Act and other related acts, and the related government regulations.
Expansion of the Register of Qualifications
The Kindergarten teacher has been added as a new qualification, the Leatherworker has been supplemented by the professional pathway of Glove maker, and the Specialised Assistant in Histology has been deleted. In the case of Health Care Assistant, the Audiology Assistant professional pathway has been extended by one more professional field and is now available as Audiology Assistant and Hearing Acoustician pathway. In the case of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Mechatronics, the duration of vocational training has been increased from 3 to 4 years (from 2 to 3 years in the case of vocational training for vocational exam only).
Simplified regulation of VET programmes
As a result of the amendment to the Vocational Education and Training Act (Section 12 of the Act), the central Programme Curriculum has been removed as a content regulator, and VET schools now provide education and training on the basis of their vocational programme developed in accordance with the central rogramme outcomes standards and requirements.
The government has set up sectoral expert working groups to support the methodological work of teachers
In 2023, expert-led working groups focusing on specific industries and teaching methods were set up, involving teachers with a recognised, innovative approach to their profession. The working groups aim to promote innovative teaching methods and knowledge sharing, to change the mindset of VET teachers and to develop a methodological culture in VET. The meetings, held on a bi- or trimonthly basis in each sector and professional area, provide an opportunity to facilitate network learning, create a forum for community building among teachers, share good practice and knowledge, reflect together, share current information and build professional relationships. The aim is to progressively develop these forums in all 25 sectors, after the 11 that have been set up so far.
Support for talent development
The government has launched a 'Köbüki scholarship call' (Köbüki ösztöndíj-pályázat ) to recognise and encourage the professional activities and individual development of teachers involved in talent development. The call offers a HUF 75,000 monthly grant for one academic year to teachers of Hungarian language and literature, history, maths, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, IT (digital culture) or music culture who have at least 3 years of professional experience as teachers in Hungarian secondary education institutions and are currently teaching such subjects in Hungarian secondary education and are involved in talent development. By the deadline for submission, 1,048 applications were registered, and 957 applications were awarded funding on the basis of the decision. The total amount of funding for the 957 applications is HUF 717,750,000, half of which, i.e. HUF 358,875,000, will be paid from the 2023 budget and the other half, i.e. HUF 358,875,000, from the 2024 budget. The grant will take the form of a non-reimbursable scholarship at an intensity of 100%, to be paid in instalments by bank transfer according to the schedule set out in the grant award document. The funding period is from 01.09.2023 to 30.06.2024. The application is published and managed by the National Cultural Funding Agency on behalf of the Ministry.