New professions and modern infrastructure in agricultural vocational training

(Photo: AM)

The Minister explained that significant infrastructure, equipment and knowledge developments have been implemented in agricultural vocational training institutions. The project entitled Support for Demonstration Plants of the Rural Development Program contributes to the developments, which provided 1 billion forints of funding per center. Developments were made in 27 institutions of the five domestic agricultural vocational training centers. Workshops were renewed, modern power and work machines, food industry technologies, precision tools arrived, vehicle diagnostic laboratories and digital learning environments were created. István Nagy highlighted that the increasingly frequent occurrence of animal and plant diseases – such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affecting cattle, African swine fever (ASF), avian influenza or golden jaundice threatening vineyards – have clearly shown that domestic agriculture needs many more professionals with modern knowledge than before, who are capable of prevention and rapid intervention. In response to this, the animal health and food safety technician training course was launched in September 2025, which specifically serves to strengthen the safety of food production of animal origin. The professionals who graduate here will be able to support epidemic prevention, monitor the health of farm animals and contribute to the safety of the domestic food chain. In addition, the Confectionery Technician training course will also start in September 2025, which prepares students to produce high-quality, industrial and artisanal sweets. Both new professions can also be chosen within the framework of adult education, so they are also open to those who already work in agriculture or the food industry, but would like to expand or renew their professional knowledge.

The Minister of Agriculture explained that the strengthening of dual training allows students to gain experience in a real workplace environment

More than 1,200 students participate in this training every month. Students with a vocational training employment contract gain practical knowledge in a secured employment relationship. In the 52 vocational training institutions maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture, 4,662 people began their studies in the 2025/2026 academic year.

Hungarian agricultural vocational training achieved outstanding results both domestically and internationally in 2025

At the European Championship of Young Skilled Workers, the EuroSkills Herning 2025 competition in Denmark, among hundreds of participants from 32 countries, Hungarian agricultural competitors increased the reputation of domestic agricultural vocational training with excellent performance. Similarly remarkable results were achieved in domestic professional study competitions: more than 800 students participated in the competition announced by the National Chamber of Agriculture and 17 out of the 21 competitions were won by students from institutions maintained by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture remains committed to ensuring that young people and adults have modern, marketable knowledge – thereby strengthening the competitiveness, sustainability and strength of the Hungarian agriculture and food industry and the countryside.

AM