This morning, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered an energizing speech at the 17th Szakma Sztár Festival, an annual event celebrating vocational education in Hungary. The festival, held in Budapest, serves as a platform for showcasing and recognizing the nation's vocational talents and the potential of technical education in shaping Hungary's future.
"Good day everyone! I am always delighted to be here because I believe that the future of Hungary is being drawn at places like these," began Prime Minister Orbán. He emphasized the crucial role of skilled young people in writing the future of Hungary, a vision he contrasted with past decades when intellectual professions were thought to define societal progress. "Fifteen to twenty years ago, it was believed that the future would be shaped by those with university degrees. However, over the last fifteen years, we have built a work-based economy, and today it is clear that there is no future without work and vocational skills," PM Orbán asserted.
Addressing the audience, which included students, educators, and parents, the prime minister highlighted the evolving landscape of the global economy and the critical importance of vocational training in it. "The world has changed; vocational skills and tradespeople form the backbone of the Hungarian economy today. If intellectuals can also bring out their best and if the worlds of intellect and vocational skills connect well, that is when Hungary thrives,” he said.
Reflecting on the unpredictability of choosing a profession in today's rapidly changing world, Prime Minister Orbán reminisced about past misconceptions regarding technological advancements replacing manual labor. "A decade ago, it was thought that new technologies would soon replace manual jobs. What a surprise it was to find out that computers cannot replace hands-on work," he commented, noting that the real threat lies not with manual laborers but with office workers, lawyers, clerks, and programmers.
The prime minister reassured that choosing a vocational path is a wise decision that safeguards one's future against technological upheavals, wars, and even bureaucratic missteps from Brussels. "Those who choose from the trades available here, choosing something that withstands the test of time, will find that no new technology, war, or even Brussels can touch them," he stated, reinforcing the security that vocational training offers in an uncertain world.
Prime Minister Orbán also outlined the government's role in ensuring that young Hungarians can stand on their own feet and begin their adult lives with confidence. "It may be difficult to decipher what the future holds, but it is the government's job to provide timeless and modern training for everyone. That's why we have partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to innovate vocational training and invest in the future,” he said.
The speech not only underscored the importance of vocational education in Hungary's economic strategy but also celebrated the contributions of vocational professionals to the national economy. PM Orbán concluded with a rallying cry, "Hungary is already at the forefront of vocational education in Europe. You are talented young people, and it's time to enter the world championship. I wish you all success in today's competition and beyond! Go Hungary, go Hungarians!"