Innovation minister signs pact on battery industry training programme

László Palkovics, the minister of innovation and technology, on Monday signed a letter of intent with Diego Pavia, CEO of sustainable energy company EIT InnoEnergy, on the development of battery industry training in Hungary.

The aim of the agreement is to give Hungarian university, adult and vocational students access to the programmes offered by the European Battery Alliance (EBA) Academy, the parties said.

Prior to signing the letter of intent, Palkovics held talks with Maros Sefcovic, vice-president of the European Commission.

Palkovics said he was convinced that besides its contribution to climate protection, the political significance of the transition to a green economy lay in giving the countries engaged in it an advantage in the global race for post-fossil fuel technologies.

Sefcovic, who is also the European commissioner for inter-institutional relations and foresight, said

Hungary was a pioneer and market leader in battery technology.

As regards the agreement between Hungary and EIT InnoEnergy, he said the European battery industry will need about 800,000 experts by 2025. Hungary is making great strides in this field, Sefcovic said, noting the country’s move to draw up a national battery strategy.

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