ŠIOV offered attractive activities combining education, hands-on practice, and career guidance. Almost 3’000 students, especially from elementary schools, had the opportunity to explore what it feels like to embark on their own career journey. They took part in the interactive game Cesta profíka (The Professional's Journey), passing through stations dedicated to various professions and skills. The game tested not only their abilities and knowledge, but also their perseverance – almost a third of the participating pupils reached the finish line.

As part of the “journey”, the young people had the opportunity to try out the confectionery craft, accompanied by students from the Secondary School of Food Industry in Nitra and professionals from companies cooperating with the school. They could taste fruit juices, try milking a cow using a special model, or experience a farming simulator. Upon completing four tasks, they received a small gift as a reward.

"Our goal is to show students that discovering professions can be not only educational but also fun. We are delighted that so many young people took part in The Professional's Journey and that as many as 120 of them decided to go deeper and find out which profession is right for them," said project manager Mariana Mlčúchová from ŠIOV.

Together with its partner AGRION (Association of Agricultural Equipment Suppliers in Slovakia), ŠIOV organized the three-day AgroSkills contest, where young students from 14 secondary vocational schools demonstrated their practical skills and knowledge. The challenge included disciplines such as tractor driving and virtual welding. Three days full of competition, skilled students, and modern agricultural technology showed that expertise and practice go hand in hand!

Expert Discussion Forum

The expert forum on linking education with practice provided inspiring examples of good practice from Slovakia and Switzerland to Agrokomplex visitors. It was opened with a speech by Peter Nelson, Swiss Ambassador to Slovakia: “Switzerland is convinced that strong and effective VET systems are important enablers for both the economy and society. This conviction has led to a commitment to make the area of vocational education and training one of two (thematic) key priorities of the 2nd Swiss Contribution to selected European Union Member States.”

Several companies that collaborate with SIOV in implementing the Swiss-supported project explained to the audience what effective cooperation between companies and vocational education can look like. It was at the initiative of AGRION that a new field of study, agromechatronics, was created in Slovakia – an innovative response to the needs of the labour market, experimentally tested in cooperation with ŠIOV.

At a time when agriculture is facing major challenges – digitalization, ecological transformation, and changes in required skills – vocational education plays a key role in preparing the farmers of the future.  In this regard, Mr. Loïc Bardet (OrTra AgriAliForm), a Swiss expert in vocational education, presented the Swiss model, one of the most successful dual education systems in the world. He highlighted the motivations and qualities that are key today for prospective students in the agricultural sector: "Apprentices should love work and nature, be flexible and adaptable, because farms can change according to market demand or climate. They must be able to cope with the seasonality of work during harvests and at the same time adapt to quieter periods, especially in winter."

Memoranda of Cooperation

Agriculture and food are key sectors of the Slovak economy, struggling with a shortage of young professionals but also offering opportunities for innovation and modern forms of education linked to traditional crafts. During Agrokomplex, ŠIOV therefore signed two new memoranda of cooperation with stakeholders from these sectors, connecting secondary vocational schools, employers, and professional organizations.  The memoranda are concluded for a period ending December 31, 2028, with the aim of bringing innovative impulses to vocational education and its connection to the reality of the labour market, thereby supporting sustainable change in the sector.

"Without prosperous vocational education that is directly linked to practice, no sector can develop. These memoranda are proof of the commitment of the education system, employers, business and professional organizations to create a future based on real experience and high-quality training of professionals," says ŠIOV Director Branislav Hadár.

Thanks to the memoranda schools will link with practice and students gain valuable experience directly from employers. School programs are modernized in line with labour market needs, increasing the attractiveness of the construction, food processing and agricultural sectors for young people.