Budapest: The payment of scholarships in vocational training has commenced, marking an important milestone for students, with funds now deposited into their accounts. Talented students eligible for the Apáczai scholarship have also received their payments, as announced by Veronika Varga-Bajusz, the state secretary at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, during an M1 morning program.
According to KDNP, Varga-Bajusz highlighted that the vocational training system underwent a transformation in 2020, which included the strengthening of dual education and the launch of a scholarship system. Students in the initial two years receive scholarships, while those in dual training also earn a salary. The vocational training scholarship ranges from HUF 8,000 to 59,000 per month, contingent upon academic performance, with wages constituting 43-72 percent of the minimum wage.
The successful acquisition of a vocational qualification is rewarded with an allowance, and students receive a start-of-life support of HUF 150,0
00 to 300,000, depending on their academic results. In 2024, nearly 43,000 individuals received such support, amounting to more than HUF 5 billion, as explained by the state secretary.
Varga-Bajusz further elaborated that 325,000 people are currently enrolled in vocational training, with 50,000 commencing their studies this year. Of these, 270,000 maintain a student relationship and are granted scholarships based on academic results, provided they do not miss training sessions.
In addition to vocational training scholarships, the Apáczai scholarship program supports students who excel academically, offering HUF 42,000 per month. Mentor teachers receive support ranging from HUF 16,000 to 80,000. A total of HUF 210 million was allocated for the vocational training scholarship in its first month, offering students the flexibility to use the funds as needed, including leisure activities like cinema outings, ensuring a good quality of life conducive to effective studying.
During the Radio Kossuth program “Good
Morning, Hungary!”, Varga-Bajusz discussed the potential next phase of vocational training support, which could involve the introduction of a worker’s loan, freely accessible to young people who have completed their vocational training. The scholarship system has contributed to a 20 percent decrease in student dropouts since 2021, with the number of students transitioning to higher education from technical schools doubling. Currently, 17,000 individuals are entering higher education, and six out of ten students opt for technical schools after completing 8th grade.
