Under the dual education system, students acquire theoretical knowledge at an educational institution while simultaneously developing practical skills directly in the workplace under the guidance of a master instructor.
The new changes provide for the introduction of a state aid program under which companies will be able to receive reimbursement for half of the eligible costs associated with students’ practical training. The support will include, among other things, students’ wages, the instructor’s salary, and the instructor’s pedagogical training.
Companies will be able to apply for state aid for each completed academic year between July 20 and September 10 by filling out an online form on the website of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA). The application must be accompanied by the supporting documents specified in the program’s terms and conditions.
Employers wishing to participate in dual education programs must submit a letter of intent to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, specifying the selected vocational training program, the educational institution with which they plan to collaborate, and the number of students the company is prepared to train.
To become partners in the dual education system, companies must have appropriate facilities and conditions for practical training and provide the necessary number of master instructors—one instructor may supervise no more than 15 students at a time.
Interest in dual education continues to grow. In the 2025–2026 academic year, approximately 3,300 students are enrolled in this system in partnership with 230 companies. In 2026, it is expected that about 130 companies will already be able to take advantage of a new support program to provide practical training for approximately 2,000 students.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the Ministry of Education and Research has reserved 2,669 state-funded spots for dual education. Currently, the employment rate for dual education graduates is about 60%, whereas among graduates of traditional vocational education, this figure is about 30%.
