The recurrence of deteriorating unemployment situation can only be prevented if young people are capable of gaining competitive knowledge which enables them to cope on the labour market, Minister of State for Employment Sándor Czomba said at a press conference, held in the training workshop of Siemens Hungary Ltd in Budapest, which aimed to popularize dual vocational training.

Participants of dual vocational training courses gain professional theoretical knowledge in vocational training schools, while their practical education is conducted at commercial enterprises or budgetary institutions.

Since 2010, the Government has implemented far-reaching reforms within the vocational training system, the Minister of State pointed out. He stressed that enterprises, institutions, parents and pupils have been encouraged through several measures to participate in this system.

The accounting of costs related to practical vocational training has been made significantly simpler for enterprises. Up to the previous year, the annual amount of per capita normative subsidy had been HUF 440 thousand for each pupil which increased to HUF 453 thousand in 2014 and as far as the state budget permits the Government is seeking to raise the amount, especially for stop-gap jobs, Sándor Czomba said.

He added that regulatory reforms have been designed to make it profitable for even a micro or small enterprise to take on a pupil.

Regardless of their test achievements, apprentices employed through a student contract may receive net subsidies of HUF 10-30 thousand per month, but in case of stop-gap jobs this amount may even be higher, the Minister of State emphasised.

Sándor Czomba also stated that a new funding scheme is to be announced soon through which young people from underprivileged families will be helped.

In the school year 2013-2014, 48-49 thousand pupils participate in dual vocational training courses through student contracts.

Hungarian Chamber of Trade and Industry President László Parragh said that currently 7000 enterprises offer vocational training opportunities for pupils, but further companies are badly needed to join this scheme.

He emphasised that the Chamber had been urging the introduction of this system for 15-20 years. A breakthrough was achieved in 2010, as an agreement was reached with the Government on launching the dual vocational training scheme. Since September last year, this education form has been integrated into the entire Hungarian apprentice training system, László Parragh pointed out.

Dale A Martin, President and CEO of Siemens Hungary Ltd which hosted the event, said that the company launched a dual vocational training course in Germany some 100 years ago. Hungary has been among the first to introduce this education form, in cooperation with the Imre Madách School of Gödöllő.

The President-CEO, who is also the President of the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, stressed that German enterprises active in Hungary do not only create jobs but they have also assumed crucial roles within the high-quality vocational training system and R&D.

Director General of National Labour Office Róbert Komáromi called attention to the fact that in the coming weeks and months families will decide which skills and schools to choose for their children.  The Office intends to assist in making this choice by offering detailed information on their website on the dual vocational training system.

(Ministry for National Economy)