Young skilled workers can set off on their apprenticeship placements today as well

As many as 153 young Hungarians have already had the opportunity to further their knowledge in French-speaking countries

Three decades of cooperation lend weight to the ÉVOSZ and Les Compagnons du Devoir joint initiative, which sends young Hungarians to France (or French students to Hungary) for a one-year further education programme – which can then be extended for further years. This is a huge organisation, currently training more than 11,000 students, which, alongside its exchange programme, also offers the most determined participants a modern-day equivalent of the traditional guild apprenticeship years: over the course of five years, participants can acquire the most in-depth knowledge of their trade, spending each year in a different French city.

On 16 October 2026, the ÉVOSZ and Les Compagnons du Devoir vocational training institutions held a joint event in the Tempus Közalapítvány building. The programme, which has been running since 1995 (first under the Leonardo da Vinci programme, then under the Erasmus programme), has so far involved 153 young Hungarian and 35 young French vocational trainees; 20 Hungarian participants went on to study on the Compagnon master craftsman training programme following their year abroad and obtained the title of ‘Compagnon’, or master craftsman.

Centuries-old traditions live on within the system

Several former „travellers” also spoke at the event chaired by Zoltán Pete, all of whom highlighted the unique circumstances in which they had lived through those years. This is a programme that has had a profound impact on their life paths, which is reflected not only in the participants’ professional dedication but also in the outstanding results they have achieved at international competitions.

István Bolvári, a Hungarian Compagnon who is now an internationally recognised carpenter, remarked: „From the very first moment, I felt like part of the family there.” Tamás Prém, who was also part of the first intake, emphasised:

„It must be acknowledged that this isn’t for everyone: after an eight-hour working day, a communal dinner, followed by study sessions between 8 pm and 10 pm, filled every weekday. At the same time, however, nobody here needed motivating; these communities bring together people with an exceptional professional dedication. For me, this programme opened up the world.”

Furthermore, gaining an insight into the working practices of different companies and the various specialisms within different professions opens up opportunities that might not even be apparent here at home.

Doors that are inaccessible from home may open

Viktor Gill, a stonemason and stone sculptor, also demonstrated the kind of connections that years spent travelling for professional development can forge: „You couldn’t possibly acquire this much knowledge at home, even in 90 to 100 years.” „Even in France, very few people actually complete the ’Tour de France’ programme.”.

”They are the cream of French society, which can open up incredible opportunities: the site manager of Notre Dame rang me after the fire to ask me to take part in the reconstruction; I was one of the first ten people he contacted. Nothing else in our profession can offer opportunities like this.”