STRABAG has built one of the most modern Training Centres in the Hungarian construction industry

Today, the STRABAG Training Centre, which covers more than 550 square metres, was officially opened in Székesfehérvár, where training courses have been running since January. The new ground floor building has 336 square metres of office space. Two spacious classrooms, a simulation room and a canteen are located in the other parts of the building.

The building's grid energy demand is approaching zero

The building's design and technical solutions also reflect the STRABAG Group's environmental policy: solar panels, heat pump systems, among others, support the centre's near-zero grid energy consumption. Sustainability is also supported by electric car chargers, bicycle and scooter storage, and a separate parking area for freight traffic.

Self-made support structure

The reinforced concrete supporting structure elements of the building were manufactured in the prefabrication plant of STRABAG. The construction was carried out by the highly experienced teams of the Road and High Construction Directorate. The structure is covered with sandwich panel cladding and the large windows guarantee the natural light necessary for a pleasant interior. The interior design is also in accordance with the STRABAG Group guidelines, reflecting the high quality of the interior.

Professional development and change of mindset

The STRABAG aims to provide the company's physical workers with a modern, practice-oriented training opportunity, supporting their professional development and a change of attitude in the fields of environment, sustainability, occupational safety and health awareness. The Training Centre will focus in particular on the development of STRABAG employees active in road construction, railway construction, structural engineering and civil engineering (special civil engineering), as well as small and heavy machinery operators.

Seven types of heavy machinery can be operated on the simulators

In the Training Centre, in addition to the two classrooms and trained instructors, the Canadian CM-LABS simulators raise the standard of professional training to the highest level. The equipment simulates the realistic handling of seven types of heavy machinery, including crawler and wheeled excavators, dozers, graders and front-end loaders. Through realistic visual experiences, sound effects and hydraulic seats, participants can gain practice in safe conditions, resulting in more efficient and fuel-efficient operations in the long term.

Health and safety is part of the training

The Education Centre is run by Anna Kiss a civil engineer, engineering teacher and economist with 14 years of experience in adult education.
A complex training programme has been put together for the staff of STRABAG, the main units of which are: engineering, technology, occupational health and safety, environmental protection and sustainability. The sessions also include communication, labour and payroll skills.

Mentors of the future

The head of the centre revealed that a master teacher programme had already started before the construction of the building began. Experienced foremen and site managers from among the workforce were trained to mentor the next generation in the acquisition of the professional knowledge produced by STRABAG's experts.

Through the Master Teacher programme, 17 professional course leaders are currently serving the Education Centre and physical workers.

 

The challenges of adult learning

The most intensive period for training can be the winter and late autumn months. The brigades come to Székesfehérvár from all over the country.
Anna Kiss said,

The challenge is to reach out to the very young and the pre-retired at the same time, and to capture their interest.

In addition, many people have had not very positive experiences of learning, of participating in training. These prejudices also need to be overcome. Tensions are relieved by sharing meals and playing games and making small gestures. The latter may also stem from factors such as the frustration of having to spend two or three days in an enclosed space, sitting at desks, while they are constantly outdoors and doing physical work.

During technical training, trainers show you the latest technological innovations in the field and deepen and systematise your existing knowledge. Later on, they will also visit the brigades in the field during the follow-up.

Both physical and mental health will be addressed

A key aim of the training is to show employees in a variety of ways that not only their work is important to the company, but that they themselves are important too. In addition to life management advice - stress management, creating a harmonious home environment, etc. - the programme also addresses issues of physical and mental health.
For example, they discuss the importance of a balanced and varied diet and adequate fluid consumption, adapted to Hungarian conditions, based on the Group's guidelines.

Maintaining mental health is an issue of similar importance to physical health.

It is important to realize that everyone has stressors in their lives, we cannot expect others to make our lives better, we have an active role to play in this.
Difficult topics are also discussed, such as addiction, which can be a danger for everyone, regardless of age, gender or education level.
 

Sustainability is a popular topic

The head of the Education Centre said that the biggest interest is in sustainability-related topics. There is a strong focus on awareness-raising, where participants are made aware of where they live and the threats to our environment. They will learn about the role they can play in protecting our natural assets and will be shown what STRABAG has done so far in this area and what it aims to achieve.
The feedback is that employees really like the general information about the company. Through a number of STRABAG projects abroad and at home, they can get an idea of how many projects their colleagues are working on around the world and many are then confronted with the size of the company they work for.  

Education and awareness-raising for the development of the Hungarian construction industry

While the new office building will support the work of colleagues in Székesfehérvár, the Education Centre will serve the development of physical staff working all over the country.

The aim is not only to increase professional knowledge, but also to shape attitudes for the future.

Thus, the STRABAG Training Centre aims to contribute to the development of not only the company, but the entire Hungarian construction industry, creating a high quality and sustainable training environment.

Labour is the most important resource

The construction of the Education Centre is a dream come true not only in Hungary, but also in the whole South-Eastern European region - said Márton Urban, Technical Director of STRABAG Hungary, in his welcome speech. STRABAG is one of the few large construction companies with a significant physical workforce. It currently has a physical workforce of 1393. STRABAG believes in the value of its own added workforce. High quality, meeting deadlines and using state-of-the-art technology are fundamental requirements for the projects the company undertakes. It is essential that staff have the highest possible professional skills and STRABAG considers them to be the most important resource. Preparations for the Training Centre started in 2022, construction began in the summer of 2024 and was completed by the beginning of 2025. Today, the centre was opened in a ceremony. 

Romanian, Croatian and Bosnian training centres will be built on the Hungarian experience 

Tamás Unger, STRABAG's Sector Manager for South-East Europe, in his speech, assessed the establishment of the centre in an international context. The concept of the Training Centre in Székesfehérvár was adapted to the local conditions by learning in depth about the German and Austrian training practices. The sector manager pointed out that STRABAG trains around 8,000 people a year for the construction industry. The first Training Centre in South-Eastern Europe was established in Hungary, which will be followed by the establishment of units in Romania, Croatia and Bosnia, for which the experience gained here will be used.
The ceremony was attended by András Cser-Palkovics, Mayor of Székesfehérvár, as well as the heads of the Hild József Technikum in Győr and the Jáky József Technikum in Székesfehérvár, and representatives of ÉVOSZ.