Priority industries in the National Training Fund (KFS) are economic sectors recognized as key for national development in a given year and requiring special support in employee skills development. This article discusses where entrepreneurs can find the best training funding opportunities for their employees, what the current KFS priorities are, and how to effectively apply for funds. Learn which industries have the best chances of receiving support and how to use these opportunities for your company’s development.
Quick Navigation
- Which Industries Are Considered Priority in KFS for 2024?
- Does the IT Sector Have Better Chances for KFS Funding?
- How Does KFS Support the Manufacturing Industry?
- Is the Medical Industry a Priority in KFS?
- What Funding Chances Does the Financial Services Sector Have?
- Can the Construction Industry Count on KFS Support?
- How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Education Sector?
- Is the Transport Industry a Priority in KFS?
- What Funding Chances Does the Retail Sector Have?
- Can the Tourism Industry Count on KFS Support?
- How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Energy Sector?
- Is the Agricultural Industry a Priority in KFS?
- What Funding Chances Does the Creative Sector Have?
- Can the Pharmaceutical Industry Count on KFS Support?
- How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Logistics Sector?
- Summary
Which Industries Are Considered Priority in KFS for 2024?
In 2024, the National Training Fund (KFS) concentrates its support on several key sectors recognized as priorities by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy in cooperation with the Labor Market Council. These priorities aim to support industries that play an important role in the Polish economy and those undergoing intensive technological and organizational transformation.
One of the most important support areas is digital competency development. In the era of digitization and automation, skills related to new technologies are crucial for maintaining enterprise competitiveness. KFS offers funding for training in programming, data analysis, cybersecurity, and cloud computing operation.
Another priority is the automotive industry, which is undergoing deep transformation toward electromobility and zero-emission technologies. Support includes training related to electric vehicle production, hydrogen propulsion, and servicing modern electrical systems.
The medical industry has also become a focus of KFS attention. Due to an aging population and growing demand for health services, the fund supports training for healthcare workers, especially in new medical technologies and telemedicine.
Does the IT Sector Have Better Chances for KFS Funding?
The IT sector is one of the largest beneficiaries of National Training Fund resources. In 2024, KFS priorities clearly indicate the need to develop digital competencies, which directly translates into support for companies operating in the IT industry and those implementing technological solutions.
IT sector employers can apply for funding for training in programming, IT project management, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Additionally, KFS supports competency development related to new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and blockchain. IT companies can count on full training cost coverage for micro-enterprise employees and up to 80% of costs for larger companies.
It is also worth emphasizing that the IT sector is key to implementing state digitization strategy and data-driven economic transformation. Therefore, IT companies have good chances of obtaining KFS financial support for their team development.
How Does KFS Support the Manufacturing Industry?
The manufacturing industry has been one of the pillars of the Polish economy for years and is therefore among the priority sectors supported by the National Training Fund. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to implementing modern production technologies, process automation, and robotization.
Manufacturing companies can apply for funding for training in CNC machine operation, industrial automation systems, or implementing Industry 4.0 solutions. Support also includes training related to quality management and production process optimization. This allows enterprises to increase their operational efficiency and better respond to changing market conditions.
Additionally, KFS offers support for manufacturing companies investing in ecological and energy-efficient technologies. Training on energy efficiency and natural resource management is becoming increasingly popular in the context of global trends related to sustainable development.
Is the Medical Industry a Priority in KFS?
Yes, the medical industry is one of the priority sectors supported by the National Training Fund in 2024. In the face of an aging population and growing health needs, investing in healthcare worker competency development is becoming essential.
KFS offers funding for training for doctors, nurses, and other medical workers in new medical technologies, telemedicine, and healthcare management. This training also includes issues related to modern diagnostic equipment operation and IT systems used in medical facilities.
Support also covers training on elderly care and chronic patient care. This allows healthcare workers to better respond to patient needs and improve the quality of medical services provided.
What Funding Chances Does the Financial Services Sector Have?
The financial services sector can also count on support from National Training Fund resources, especially in the context of the growing role of digital technologies in finance (FinTech). Companies in this industry can apply for funding for training related to financial data analysis, risk management, and cybersecurity.
In 2024, special emphasis is placed on developing competencies related to digital tool operation used in the financial sector. Employees of banks, insurance companies, and credit institutions can participate in courses on financial process automation, business analytics, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Funding also includes training on legal regulations related to the financial sector and anti-money laundering (AML). Thanks to KFS support, financial companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs.
Can the Construction Industry Count on KFS Support?
The construction industry is another priority sector covered by National Training Fund support. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to modern construction technologies and construction project management.
Construction companies can apply for funding for training on modern construction equipment operation, project management according to BIM (Building Information Modeling) methodology, and implementing ecological technologies in construction. Support also includes training on construction site work safety and project risk management.
Thanks to KFS support, construction companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full education costs. Investment in employee competency development allows companies to better execute construction projects and increase their market competitiveness.
How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Education Sector?
The education sector, being the foundation of social and economic development, is also among the priority industries supported by the National Training Fund. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on developing competencies of teachers, lecturers, and educational institution managers. Support includes training related to modern teaching methods, educational technologies, and teaching process management.
KFS supports training in digital education, which is key in the era of the growing role of remote learning and hybrid educational models. Teachers can participate in courses on using e-learning tools, creating interactive teaching materials, and managing educational platforms. This allows them to more effectively engage students and adapt teaching methods to changing needs.
Funding also includes training in educational institution management, allowing school and kindergarten principals to better organize teaching staff work and effectively manage resources. KFS support contributes to improving education quality and better preparing pedagogical staff for contemporary education challenges.
Is the Transport Industry a Priority in KFS?
The transport industry, being one of the key economic sectors, can also count on National Training Fund support. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to logistics, fleet management, and implementing modern transport technologies.
Transport companies can apply for funding for training on modern telematics system operation, which enables real-time vehicle monitoring and route optimization. Support also includes training in supply chain management and warehouse logistics.
Thanks to KFS support, transport companies can invest in their employee development without bearing the full training costs. Investment in modern transport technologies and logistics competency development allows companies to increase operational efficiency and better respond to changing market needs.
What Funding Chances Does the Retail Sector Have?
The retail sector, which plays an important role in the economy, can also count on National Training Fund support. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on developing competencies related to customer service, omnichannel sales, and sales process digitization.
Retail companies can apply for funding for training on customer relationship management (CRM), internet marketing, and sales process optimization. Support also includes training in sales data analysis and inventory management, allowing companies to better adapt their offer to customer needs.
Thanks to KFS support, retail companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in sales and customer service competency development allows companies to increase customer loyalty and improve financial results.
Can the Tourism Industry Count on KFS Support?
The tourism industry, which was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is also among the sectors supported by the National Training Fund. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to tourism sector recovery and adapting operations to new market realities.
Tourism companies can apply for funding for training in tourism marketing, accommodation facility management, and organizing tourism events. Support also includes training in international customer service and implementing new technologies in tourism, such as online booking platforms and hotel management systems (PMS).
Thanks to KFS support, tourism companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in tourism-related competency development allows companies to better respond to customer needs and rebuild their market position after the crisis.
How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Energy Sector?
The energy sector is one of the key areas supported by the National Training Fund, especially in the context of global energy transformation and pursuit of a low-emission economy. In 2024, the priority is training related to renewable energy sources (RES), energy efficiency, and green energy technologies.
Energy sector companies can apply for funding for training on photovoltaic system installation, heat pumps, and energy storage technologies. Support also includes training related to RES project management and energy consumption optimization in enterprises.
Thanks to KFS support, energy companies can invest in their employee development without bearing the full training costs. Investment in green energy and energy efficiency allows companies not only to reduce operating costs but also to meet regulatory requirements related to environmental protection.
Is the Agricultural Industry a Priority in KFS?
The agricultural industry is also on the list of priority sectors supported by the National Training Fund. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on developing competencies related to modern agricultural technologies, production process automation, and ecological farming methods.
Farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector can apply for funding for training on precision farming, farm management using digital tools, and implementing ecological technologies in agricultural production. Support also includes training related to agricultural product processing and marketing of organic products.
Thanks to KFS support, farmers can upgrade their qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in modern agricultural technologies and ecological farming methods allows for increasing agricultural production efficiency and better adapting operations to market requirements and environmental regulations.
What Funding Chances Does the Creative Sector Have?
The creative sector, including industries such as design, film, music, art, and advertising, can also count on National Training Fund support. In 2024, KFS emphasizes developing competencies related to digital technologies, which is particularly significant for companies in the creative sector. Creators and entrepreneurs in this industry can apply for funding for training in graphic design, video editing, computer animation, and multimedia content creation.
Creative sector companies can also benefit from training related to digital marketing, social media management, and creating online advertising campaigns. Support also includes courses on creative project management and using data analysis tools in marketing and advertising.
Thanks to KFS support, creative sector companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in digital and technological competencies allows creators to better adapt their activities to contemporary market requirements and increase their competitiveness in the international arena.
Can the Pharmaceutical Industry Count on KFS Support?
The pharmaceutical industry, being one of the key health economy sectors, is also among the priority areas supported by the National Training Fund. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to modern drug production technologies, quality management, and legal regulations concerning the pharmaceutical sector.
Pharmaceutical companies can apply for funding for training on implementing quality management systems (GMP - Good Manufacturing Practice), clinical data analysis, and pharmacotherapy safety management. Support also includes training related to new technologies for producing biological drugs and gene therapies.
Thanks to KFS support, pharmaceutical companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in modern technologies and high quality standards allows companies to better adapt to regulatory requirements and increase their competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical market.
How Does KFS Support Competency Development in the Logistics Sector?
The logistics sector, being the backbone of the modern economy, can also count on National Training Fund support. In 2024, special emphasis is placed on training related to logistics process automation, supply chain management, and implementing modern transport technologies.
Logistics companies can apply for funding for training on warehouse process optimization, fleet management, and using telematics systems for transport monitoring. Support also includes training in international logistics and supply chain risk management.
Thanks to KFS support, logistics companies can upgrade their employee qualifications without bearing the full training costs. Investment in modern logistics technologies and supply chain management competency development allows companies to increase operational efficiency and better respond to changing market needs.
Summary
The National Training Fund offers extensive support opportunities for various economic sectors that are key to Polish economic development and its technological transformation. Priority industries in 2024 include both traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, as well as more modern ones such as IT, renewable energy, and logistics. Thanks to KFS support, companies can invest in their employee development without bearing the full training costs, allowing them to better adapt to contemporary market challenges and increase their competitiveness.
Read Also
- KFS 2024: New Priorities and Training Funding Opportunities for Employees
- Small Businesses and KFS: Why Small Companies Should Use Training Funding?
- How to Effectively Use KFS Funds? A Practical Guide for Employers
Read also
- KFS 2024: New Priorities and Training Funding Opportunities for Employees
- From Application to Implementation: A Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining KFS Funding
- Small Businesses and KFS: Why Small Companies Should Use Training Funding?
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do KFS priority industries change?
KFS priorities are reviewed and updated annually by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy in cooperation with the Labor Market Council. Each year, new priorities reflect current economic needs, labor market trends, and national development strategies, so it is important to check the latest guidelines before applying.
Can a company from a non-priority industry still receive KFS funding?
Yes, companies from non-priority industries can still apply for KFS funding, although priority sectors typically receive preferential treatment during the evaluation process. Non-priority applicants should emphasize how their training plans align with broader KFS objectives such as digital competency development or employee upskilling.
What percentage of training costs does KFS cover?
KFS can cover up to 100% of training costs for micro-enterprise employees (companies with fewer than 10 employees) and up to 80% of costs for larger companies. The maximum funding per employee per year is capped at 300% of the average national salary.
How long does the KFS application process typically take?
The KFS application process usually takes between 2 to 6 weeks from submission to decision, depending on the local labor office workload and application completeness. It is advisable to submit applications well in advance of planned training dates, as funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and budgets can be exhausted quickly.