Skilled labor is one of the foundations of the strength of the countryside

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

Sándor Farkas emphasized at the ceremony held at the local Gábor Bethlen Agricultural and Food Technical School, Vocational Training School and College, which has been maintained by the ministry for 10 years, that it is important that as many people living in the countryside find prosperity for themselves and their families in the agricultural sector. He added: the coronavirus pandemic and then the Russian-Ukrainian war showed how necessary the work of Hungarian farmers and the domestic food industry is, which is why the government sees the development of agriculture as a matter of national security.

The deputy minister emphasized: agriculture and the food industry are still the basis of livelihood today and will remain so in the future

Therefore, those who voted for agricultural vocational training are choosing a responsible and at the same time uplifting life goal. One that carries countless opportunities, innovations and successes, as the sector is undergoing significant transformation and development. New, innovative procedures, IT tools and modern machines have opened up new paths and opportunities in many areas. He called it a priority task that the food industry professionals of the future receive high-quality training that meets the expectations of the age, and that they can grow with knowledge that is appropriate for the challenges of the present and future. The new vocational training system also created the foundations for this in the food industry, he added. The government pays special attention to the continuous renewal of vocational training – said Sándor Farkas. According to his words, with the dual system, a model was developed and implemented that places great emphasis on both theoretical and practical training and provides the opportunity for students to acquire the necessary practical knowledge in a real economic environment. Hungarian vocational training provides competitive knowledge, good theoretical foundations and appropriate practice at the same time, which is an excellent letter of recommendation in the world of work, he underlined.

More and more applicants

József Horváth, the general director of the Alföldi Agricultural Vocational Training Center, announced that compared to the previous academic year, 50 percent more people enrolled in their institutions. In accordance with national trends, the agricultural and forestry sector is the most popular here, followed by the food industry. László Davidovics, director of Bethlen Gábor Agricultural and Food Technology, Vocational School and College, indicated at the event: the number of students at the institution exceeds 580, of which 295 are new enrollees. Árpád Takács, the mayor of Békés county, explained: the government does not only see the people living in the countryside and the farming community as strategic partners at the level of words. Today’s opening of the academic year sends a message: the cabinet and the department support and recognize the performance and importance of the countryside and agriculture in practice.

MTI