SteelCityZen Pilot Program Launches: Free Training Courses for Former Steelworkers in Dunaújváros

The municiaplity of Dunaújváros is offering a fresh start and comprehensive support for former factory workers through the upcoming SteelCityZen project. The initiative aims to help workers in difficult situations return to the labor market through professional retraining and mental health support. Deputy Mayor for Economic Affairs Zsolt Szabó held a press conference to share the details of the program.

The decline and subsequent shutdown of the Dunaújváros steelworks presented sudden and severe challenges for many families. In response, the Municipality of Dunaújváros, in cooperation with the Pannon Educational Center (POK) and the Way-seeking Assistance Service (Útkeresés Segítő Szolgálat), is launching a comprehensive, internationally supported program. As part of the Danube Region Programme, the pilot period of the SteelCityZen project will provide free retraining for 95 individuals.

During the press conference, Deputy Mayor Zsolt Szabó emphasized that the program not only equips people with new professions but also provides vital mental health and self-development support for the participants.

Four Types of Training with Real Employment Opportunities

Professionally managed by the Pannon Educational Center, courses in four in-demand fields will launch in February 2026:

1. Nanny Training (Dajka képzés): Specifically aimed at securing employment in local kindergartens and nurseries. Thanks to the cooperation between the municipality and local institutions, practical training placements are guaranteed, and successful graduates have a strong chance of being hired by the city's institutions. (Spaces are still available!)

2. ICDL BASE (Basic Computer Skills): Developing essential digital competencies required in the modern labor market. (Spaces are still available!)

3. Ride-on Forklift Operator Training: Prepares participants for industrial and logistics jobs. (The maximum capacity of 25 people is already full.)

4. Foreign Language Communication Training: A language course designed to support labor market success. (The capacity of 10 people is already full.)

A Risk-Free Fresh Start

A significant advantage of these courses is that they are entirely free of charge. The project covers the full cost of the training, including theoretical and practical education, as well as exam fees. Furthermore, in the event of an unsuccessful exam, participants are under no obligation to repay the costs. This allows former steelworkers to pursue further education and a career change without any financial risk.

Alongside the professional training, the mental health and self-development programs will also begin in February 2026. Organizers highlighted that this pilot period is just the first step toward a long-term goal. Based on the experiences gathered, additional training programs and support initiatives may be brought to Dunaújváros in the future.