Our colleagues from the Teva Global Operations manufacturing site in Debrecen, Hungary explain how collaboration with local educational facilities helps identify talent and make the Teva workforce stronger

At a time when the competition to attract and retain employees is fierce, Teva's Debrecen, Hungary manufacturing site is benefitting from a long and successful history of collaborations with education institutions that allows us to develop and shape the careers of upcoming talents in various fields.

Judit Váradi, Human Resources manager in Debrecen, believes these partnerships are vital in creating a career path for students into the Teva family. "It gives students an early glimpse into the fascinating world of manufacturing high-quality medicines and the laboratory activities," she says.

Through summer trainee programs, internships, mentoring and other activities, the site connects the younger generation to potential opportunities at Teva. “Everyone wins by making educational programs as practice oriented as possible,” adds Judit. “Students get insight into the company, our operations and systems, and the knowledge and skills they acquire provides them with a firm basis if they decide to start a career with us after graduation.”

Options for Student Involvement

Back in 2007, the University of Debrecen and Teva joined forces to establish the Offsite University Department of the Pharmaceutical Industry, which elevated standards for education in biotechnology, chemistry bioengineering, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences to higher standards.

To date, over 1,000 students have attended the courses and practical activities, and 40 Teva Debrecen employees are currently involved in the process, leading and teaching the next generation. Teva’s investment extends beyond its employees’ time and guidance, as the company also provided funds to support new asset development and infrastructure upgrades, such as microscopes for the labs and canteen for the students.

Unique Collaboration in School of Chemistry

Debrecen also taps into another pipeline for students, this one at the secondary school level. A Teva Class at the area’s Vocational High School of Chemistry already led to students joining the site after completing their studies.

Gyula Szilasi, an operator in one of Debrecen's manufacturing plants, gained his chemical technician qualification while working in a three-shift work arrangement and credits this with preparing him for his current role. “Thanks to this program I understand how different processes are interrelated. I make very good use of these insights in my everyday tasks as a troubleshooting operator.”

And the program keeps growing. During the last year, the site built on its existing relationship with the school to develop a framework that features half of the program being conducted in a school classroom setting, and half of it hosted in the manufacturing facility. This new approach expands the exposure of students to a variety of the Debrecen site activities, including research and development, pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, API manufacturing, quality assurance and other plant programs.

Behind the Scenes: How Teva Develops the Next Generation of Professionals

NPS-ALL-NP-01046 July 2023