Reading time: 2 minutes
Retaining young professionals is not only the responsibility of the education system but also a cornerstone of economic development. If students can find employment and career opportunities locally after completing their university studies, the city in question can continue to grow and thrive. This important idea was highlighted during the presentation titled "The Return on Talent - The Relationship Between Education and the Economy," where we spoke with Enikő Szakos, Education Researcher at the Learning Institute, and Zoltán Pécskay, Executive Director of EDC, about the topic.
Pécskay emphasized that providing high-quality education alone is not sufficient for a city’s success: "One of the goals of investment promotion was to retain these young people, not just for the duration of their studies, but beyond that as well. It is essential to offer not only learning opportunities but also career prospects." A fundamental aspect of economic development is ensuring that businesses find suitable investment locations, as this directly influences both company success and local economic growth. When selecting a location, the quality of the available labor force is a key consideration. This means not only ensuring an adequate number of employees but also that these individuals possess the necessary expertise and qualifications.
Enikő Szakos highlighted that one of the missions of the MCC is to train leaders and local patriots who are dedicated to working for their communities, individuals who "want to give something back to the city from which they received so much." Education is a long-term investment. European examples demonstrate that we should not blindly replicate models. For instance, while many admire the Swedish educational system, it offers valuable lessons. The country moved toward over-digitalization—using computer-based competency tests and eliminating handwriting altogether—but realized that excessive reliance on technology hindered students' cognitive development. "We should not over-digitalize everything," Szakos warns, as it is crucial to maintain balance: alongside digital skills, there must also be space for analog, hand-executed tasks.
