In response to a growing demand for qualified engineers and technicians, Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics announced that further funding will be allocated for the development of education and training in Debrecen.
The government will support the development of education and training projects in the field of automotive industry with 35 billion forints (EUR 108 million).
Development of the Vocational Training Is the Key of Hungary’s Competitiveness
According to the Minister, Hungary’s competitiveness depends on the transformation of the vocational training. The government plans to spend a total of HUF 150-200 billion on the development of the vocational training system by 2022. The strategy includes the renewal and modernization of the infrastructure background and the renewal of the scholarship system. In addition, a labor market forecasting system would be established and student employment contracts would be introduced.
In Hungary, fewer students are involved in vocational training than the European average and which is why the change is needed.
The Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics also stated that the amount of approximately 7.3 Billion HUF of a larger 35 Billion HUF will be earmarked for vocational training and the establishment of a secondary school, catering to foreign languages, German as well as other languages from the surrounding countries.
The number of students applying to the existing technology training programme has already doubled as a result of the announced industry investments such as the new BMW factory currently under development, highlighting the need for extra capacity.
At an earlier round table meeting organized by EDC Debrecen Urban and Economic Development Center and chaired by the Chairman of the Vocational Training Center of Debrecen (DSZC), Zsolt Tirpák heard feedback on the existing provision and the planned additional provision of vocational training. Representatives of Krones, BMW, Diehl, and National Instruments were heard. The meeting was attended by DebrecenToday.com.
Supporting the Technology Department of the Debrecen University
The technology department of Debrecen University will receive 62 million euros to further develop courses to meet the need of the automotive industry.
In the newly restructured programme, there will be several opportunities for specialization, Zoltán Szilvássy, rector of the University of Debrecen stated that the engineering training will cover automotive, railway, and aviation engineering, as well as a new space research programme.
Lászlo Papp, Mayor of Debrecen stated that the goal is to increase the number of students in the city from today’s 72,000 to 100,000 by 2040.
