Hungary launches EUR 9m Swiss-backed programme to modernise vocational training

Hungary launches EUR 9m Swiss-backed programme to modernise vocational training

Hungary has launched a EUR 9 million (HUF 3.61 billion) programme, backed by the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme, to give young people more practical learning and better career guidance, according to a statement published by Cedefop on 20 October 2026. Six projects under two components will run from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.

Key facts

What does the programme aim to do?

The VET Programme focuses on project-based teaching and assessment and on stronger career guidance. It is being implemented in three disadvantaged regions: Northern Hungary through Miskolc VET Centre, the Northern Great Plain through Nyíregyháza VET Centre, and Southern Transdanubia through Baranya County VET Centre. The programme is already producing results: a methodological handbook on project-based teaching and assessment has been developed, along with a practical guide to career guidance and counselling. These resources are intended to support teachers and trainers, VET institutions and professional partners in their daily work. More than 200 good practices have been collected so far. How is the programme being delivered?

The programme is implemented by three beneficiary VET centres, which are public organisations that manage networks of vocational schools in their respective regions. In addition to the three direct beneficiaries, a further 13 VET centres, four civil society organisations and four higher education institutions take part in the professional activities under the two components. More than 100 dual training partners participate in each component, linking vocational education and training more closely to work-based learning and labour market needs. The programme supports learners, young people preparing to make career choices, VET teachers and trainers, and dual training partners. What gap does it address?

According to the statement, young people often have limited first-hand experience of different occupations, while schools do not always have access to consistent and up-to-date methodological tools and support. The project-based teaching and assessment component includes the development of 960 model project and examination tasks and methodological training for around 1,500 VET teachers and trainers across 15 sectors. The career guidance component includes five continuing professional development programmes for around 430 teachers and trainers. The project-based teaching component also provides targeted support for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, with almost 80 mentors expected to support more than 400 learners in their educational progress and personal development. What activities are already under way?

Activities are already under way. During summer 2026, VET centres organised camps, vocational taster sessions, activities linked to Digital Community Creative Workshops and other interactive events. The next phase will focus on bringing the new approaches into wider use, further strengthening the skills of teachers and trainers, expanding the collection of good practices and delivering programmes that engage learners directly. The long-term aim is to make Hungarian VET more attractive, up to date, practical and effective, giving young people better opportunities to develop their skills and build their future.

The programme is part of a broader European effort to improve vocational education and training, as Cedefop monitors VET policies across Europe. The Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme supports such initiatives, and the Hungarian programme runs until the end of 2027, when its results are expected to inform future VET reforms in Hungary and potentially serve as a model for other European countries.

Source: Cedefop

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