‘No institution can fulfil its tasks if they are not carried out by specialised staff constantly improving their skills. It is worth learning about the experiences of partner institutions, as good practices are often ready-made recipes producing positive results,’ says Marcin Stanecki, Chief Labour Inspector.
On 17-18 June 2025, the State Labour Inspection Training Centre in Wrocław hosted a meeting of representatives of the labour inspectorates of the Visegrad Group countries. The meeting was attended by delegates from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. All of them had the opportunity to present themselves and describe the training of labour inspectors in their respective countries.
State Labour Inspection in Poland
The Polish labour inspector training system was presented by Łukasz Paroń, Director of the SLI Training Centre. The training is carried out by the Training Centre in Wrocław and includes both theoretical (approximately 10 months) and practical preparation, ending with a state examination. The training is carried out under the supervision of mentors, i.e. experienced labour inspectors. The system is also based on mandatory upgrading training: central, internal and external.
‘Our Training Centre is working full steam. We are launching new preparatory training courses, which testifies to the increased interest in working for the State Labour Inspection. What is left for us to do is to teach the young blood about the tricks of the trade, so that after completing their training, these newly-qualified inspectors can go into the field. We make every effort to ensure that our staff are comprehensively prepared for their work. We are constantly improving our training methods so that even difficult and complex issues are explained in an easy-to-understand way,’ says the Head of the State Labour Inspection.
Hungarian Department of Occupational Safety and Health in the Ministry of National Economy
The training system in Hungary was presented by Péter Nesztinger, Director of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health in the Ministry of National Economy. The Hungarian model is based on the 4-month professional preparation, including theoretical and practical training. The training is conducted under the supervision of a manager and mentors. Candidates pass several stages of examinations, including administrative law and OSH. An important element of the system is the annual compulsory e-learning training and thematic training.
Slovakian Národný inšpektorát práce (NIP)
Katarína Timková from the National Labour Inspectorate in Slovakia discussed the training system used in this country. The Slovak model comprises a three-stage training: adaptation training (3 months), professional training (8 months) and competency-based training, ending with an exam. Specialisations in OSH and labour law are a significant part of the training system. Training is provided by mentors and completion requires a certificate. In addition, it is obligatory to follow refresher training every 5 years.
Czech Státní úřad inspekce práce (SÚIP)
Martin Melecký and Jiří Macíček from the Czech State Labour Inspection Office presented the structure and process of training new inspectors. The Czech model involves participation in an inspector training course, which includes theoretical training, e-learning and practical training. After one year, a re-examination is required. The system also includes compulsory examinations for the civil service, which are divided into general and specialised parts.
The meeting concluded with a joint discussion, during which participants stressed the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of experiences.
Comparison of training stages in labour inspectorates of the Visegrad Group countries
|
|
Poland |
Hungary |
Slovakia |
Czechia |
|
Institution |
State Labour Inspection Training Centre in Wrocław |
Department of OSH, Ministry |
Národný inšpektorát práce (NIP) |
Státní úřad inspekce práce (SÚIP) |
|
Initial training |
500 hours of theory + practice + exam |
4 months of theory + practice |
3-month adaptation training + |
3 months + course+ e-learning |
|
Follow-up training |
Central, internal, external (and periodic every 5 years) |
E-learning, annual, thematic training |
Annual, specialist (testing) |
Seminars, IT, soft skills |
|
Exams |
Internal exam, state exam (written + oral) |
4+1 stages of exams, minimum 60% |
Written, oral, practical (professional exam) |
Tests and differential exam |
|
Specialisations |
Training + exam |
Thematic training |
12 specialisations in OSH and labour law |
Specialisation after the civil service exam |