BMW Group’s factory in Debrecen has officially launched TalentFactory, a new dual vocational training programme designed to immerse students in real industrial environments. The programme was introduced on Tuesday during a press conference held at the site, with both city officials and BMW executives present.
CEO of BMW Manufacturing Hungary Hans-Peter Kemser emphasized that the initiative is fully integrated into the plant’s organizational structure. Students participating in the programme will support actual production processes using advanced technologies and under the mentorship of experienced instructors.
The initiative operates under a ‘factory within the factory’ model, where students create tools, parts, and equipment for different technological departments of the plant. These custom-made components will later be used directly in production, giving students a sense of real-world impact.
The TalentFactory was inaugurated with a showcase of its first products, including transport devices and machinery designed to move car body components. Students work in teams of eight to ten, and any student from the three-year vocational training programme is eligible to participate. Currently, around 200 students are involved, a number expected to grow to 300 soon, with potential annual increases of up to 100.
Kemser highlighted that one of the biggest advantages of the programme is the opportunity for students to learn the latest technologies in a real manufacturing environment. He expressed hopes that this initiative would serve as an example for other companies in Debrecen.
Mayor László Papp praised the project, noting that Debrecen has built its development strategy on education for nearly 500 years. He commended BMW for pushing the boundaries of dual education and helping shape the city’s innovation-driven future.
The mayor also touched on the automotive industry’s shift toward electric and alternative powertrains, asserting that such transformation requires new talent and a steady stream of skilled young professionals to bring innovative ideas to life.
Chancellor of the Debrecen Vocational Training Centre Zsolt Tirpák added that vocational education has undergone a fundamental overhaul over the past decade, with dual training and closer ties to industry playing a central role.
He also underlined the symbolic importance of BMW completing its training centre before any other part of its Debrecen investment, demonstrating the priority placed on education through the creation of TalentFactory.
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