Institute for public administration further training

Since 2012, Ludovika-UPS has been operating the public service further training system. The Institute for Public Administration Further Training is responsible for the conduct of further education and training in public service and the development of training programmes. The further training system has undergone significant changes in recent years, as it has to cope with the ever-changing social environment and meet the challenges posed by the new generation entering the civil service as well. As a result, the further training system today offers training programmes based on the individual development needs of administrators, modern learning tools (e-learning training, virtual classrooms), development programmes for the personalised career mobility of administrators (new in-service training, qualification training programmes). Based on real training needs, it offers self-improvement and learning experience for the entire civil service corps. The training courses consist of competence development classes based on active participation and creative, compelling study materials that facilitate the acquisition of theoretical knowledge. In addition to experiential learning, the sessions available in the training encourage administrators to think independently and improve their problemsolving skills.

Main tasks of the Institute:

• to run the entire education and examination system of further training, in order to ensure the continuing education of 68,000 civil servants countrywide;
• to develop and provide compulsory training for all public servants (except for a few institutions);
• to secure the most effective “learning environment” by creating e-learning platforms and providing online virtual classrooms;
• to improve teaching and learning methodologies (on-the-job; action learning) and to foster learning effectiveness;
• to provide leadership development and training programmes for executives of public administration

Target group

The target group for public service further training is government administrators and civil servants. Civil servants and government administrators obliged to undergo further training may fulfil their training obligation by enrolling in the courses included in the list of further training programmes. The completion of further training is measured by a system of study points.

Further training programme offer

In 2023, Ludovika-UPS provided nearly 200 public service training courses for civil servants, most of which were e-learning courses, but it also included blended learning and attendance trainings. As in previous years, in 2022-2023, Ludovika-UPS’ e-learning training materials were the most popular among administrators. This lies in the flexibility of e-learning training: administrators can complete training in accordance with their own learning needs and schedule, regardless of time and geographical location. Nearly 2,500 people were trained within the framework of training based on attendance and blended learning methodology. This includes the training of about 500 managers.

Actors in the further training system

The operation of the public service training system is ensured by the continuous cooperation of several governmental and non-governmental actors. In addition to the ministerial management of the further training system, the Council for Public Service Further Training is responsible for the inclusion of further training programmes in the further training system (qualification, assignment of points) and the selection of trainers and experts. The Institute for Public Administration Further Training performs the task of developing public service training programmes, as well as the training of the participating lecturers and experts, and also ensures the quality assurance of the system; and the institute is a producer of e-learning materials and a maintainer of the Probono training platform.

Methodology and technology

The Probono system is the digital teaching/learning portal of Ludovika-UPS, which provides a wide range of services to administrators to expand their professional knowledge and to develop their competencies, as well as to organise training sessions. Probono is also one of the largest e-learning portals in Hungary; it is the University’s own development. The system serves the needs of nearly 120,000 active users, taking the relevant legislative framework into account.

Probono provides an opportunity for users to plan and track their learning and training paths. The system also supports the learning activities of administrators, as the system can be used to complete training courses based on an e-learning methodology, as well as for competency measurement.

It uses the most up-to-date tools of learning methodology and technology, in the form of interactive videos with live characters, simulation e-training, rapid learning training materials, intelligent documents, “serious” games, and quiz applications offered for the civil servants in order to expand their knowledge and foster skills development.

The most impressive and typical elements of the system are the user-friendly presentation of the materials, self-evaluation tests, and further extras in order to intensify the learning experience. A system of further training and examinations cannot operate properly without the support of quality assurance according to the European standards. The operational processes are described by quality procedures that apply to all organisers and participants.

Postgraduate and specialist training programmes

In 2023, the Institute handled 16 specialised further training courses, in which a total of 389 people obtained diplomas certifying specialised professional qualifications.

In 2023, more than 20 students could finish their studies in two new further training programmes: Communication Specialist in Public, Service and in Social Administration.

Publication 
 

On the way to experience-based learning - Overview of the system of further training in public service

Videos
 

On the way to experience-based learning

Leadership trainings