szakiskolai

Szakiskolai refers to the vocational education track within the Hungarian secondary education system, focused on training students for skilled trades and practical work. It is designed to prepare learners for immediate entry into the labor market while providing foundational general education.

Structure and curriculum: Szakiskolai programs typically last three to four years and combine classroom instruction with hands-on training in partner enterprises or school workshops. The curriculum centers on trade-specific subjects—such as carpentry, metalworking, culinary arts, or health care—alongside general education components like language, mathematics, and science. The aim is to develop practical competencies aligned with industry needs.

Qualification and outcomes: Upon completion, students take a final professional examination. Successful candidates receive a vocational qualification and a diploma recognized for the skilled-trades labor market. In some cases, graduates may also obtain certificates that allow them to pursue further education, including pathways to higher vocational training or, with additional requirements, higher education, such as programs requiring an érettségi exam.

Role and context: Szakiskolai pathways are part of Hungary’s broader efforts to strengthen vocational training and strengthen ties between education and industry. They emphasize apprenticeship-like training and cooperation with employers to improve employability and respond to labor market demands. The model coexists with other secondary tracks, notably gimnázium, which emphasize general education and university preparation, and szakközépiskola, which blends vocational training with more extensive general education and often a clearer path to higher education.

See also: vocational education in Hungary, érettségi, dual education.