szakok

Szakok is the Hungarian plural form of szak, a term that denotes a branch of craft or trade—the skilled field within the broader concept of a profession. The word is used in everyday language, as well as in education and industry, to refer to different domains of expertise and practice.

In education, szaks form the basis of vocational training. Hungarian secondary vocational education often structures programs around specific szakok, sometimes within szakközépiskola (vocational secondary schools) or szakgimnázium. Students combine classroom study with practical apprenticeships to obtain a szakmai képesítés or other formal qualifications. Common examples include hegesztő szak (welder), asztalos szak (carpentry), villanyszerelő szak (electrician), fodrász szak (hairdressing), and kőműves szak (masonry).

In industry and employment, the term szaks is used to describe the particular trades and skill sets required for a job. Job advertisements, qualification schemes, and professional registrations often specify a szak to indicate the exact field of expertise and the competencies expected. A szak is typically associated with certifications or diplomas that document competence in that trade.

Relation to related terms: szakma refers more broadly to the profession or craft as a whole, while szak denotes a specific field or trade within it. In everyday speech, people may say szakképezés or tanulni egy szakmát to mean learning a trade.