Bilateral project meeting between Hungary and Austria (February 27, 2026): Focus on data collection and needs analysis

On Friday, February 27, 2026, a bilateral working meeting took place in Budapest as part of Time4Clay&Lime. The focus was on the technical exchange between the project partners on data collection and needs analysis: Which target groups do we need to reach, which skills are actually needed in practice, and how do we structure the survey so that it remains internationally comparable and at the same time practical for the trade?

What was discussed?

1) Structure of the needs analysis

Together, they discussed how to structure a needs analysis in a meaningful way—from defining the target group (companies,trainers, teachers, master craftsmen) to selecting suitable tools (interviews/surveys) to evaluating the results so that they can be directly incorporated into the development of training programs (micro-credentials/EQF logic).

2) Transfer experiences from other qualifications

The IAGF's experience in collecting and evaluating needs analyses from other professional qualification contexts was particularly valuable. 

The following content structures could be suitable for the needs analysis

• Objective and starting point (target groups, status quo of painter training, including master craftsman level).
• Demand and skill gaps (labor market/businesses, health/indoor air quality, sustainability).
• Implementation (competence modules, EQF classification, access, and examination/certificate).

3) Health, indoor air quality, and mineral coatings

Scientific perspectives on health were also addressed: Good indoor air quality is a key factor because people in Europe spend a large proportion of their time indoors—and poor IAQ (indoor air quality) causes health risks and costs. This underscores why mineral, low-emission systems (including lime/clay) are not only "ecological" but also relevant to health.

4) Comparison of training programs and training challenges in Hungary – including master craftsman level

An important part of the discussion concerned the comparison of training systems with Austria and the challenges in painter training in Hungary – both in initial training and at master craftsman level (organization, modernization of content, connection to current market requirements).Master craftsman training in Hungary is usually organized as "mesterképzés" (master craftsman training/master craftsman course) and concludes with the "mestervizsga" (master craftsman examination); the formal certificate is the "mesterlevél" (master craftsman's certificate). (Magyar Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara).

Data collection will be completed by the end of March 2026, and the results will be incorporated into a needs analysis that will serve as the basis for the development of training courses and learning modules in the Time4Clay&Lime project.