Minister Karel Havlíček Visits CZ, with Dual Education as the Main Focus

On Friday, 14 August 2026, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček visited Česká zbrojovka a.s. in Uherský Brod. The main focus of his visit was dual practical education, for which CZ has become the first certified company in the Czech Republic. Starting on 1 September 2026, CZ will implement this model in cooperation with the Secondary School – Center for Technical Vocational Training Uherský Brod (SŠ-COPT), which will become the first school in the Czech Republic to participate in its implementation.

CZ successfully completed an assessment of its readiness to provide dual practical education, which evaluated the personnel, organizational, technical, material, and documentation requirements for providing students with practical training directly in a real working environment. The certification confirms the company’s readiness to provide high-quality vocational training and represents an important step in the long-standing cooperation between CZ and SŠ-COPT Uherský Brod.

“We greatly appreciate that the Minister came in person to see how we are preparing for the launch of dual practical education. At CZ, we have long supported technical education and cooperation with schools because high-quality vocational training for young people is essential to the future of Czech industry. I am pleased that the first certified model is being established here at CZ, giving students the opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with regular practical training in a real manufacturing environment. I believe that the experience we gain together with SŠ-COPT can also serve as an inspiration for other schools and employers in the Czech Republic,” said Jan Zajíc, CEO of CZ.

“CZ is an example of a modern Czech industrial company that, alongside developing technologies, is also focused on preparing a new generation of skilled workers. I consider dual education a very good way to better connect technical schools with real-world practice. At the same time, it is important for us to support a strong defense industry and create the conditions for the further development of its manufacturing and technological capabilities. Particularly in the current security environment, it is important that Czech companies are able to supply modern, high-quality products to our own armed forces,” said Karel Havlíček, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade.

Dual practical education will enable students to combine classroom learning with regular vocational training directly at CZ. Students will gain practical experience, work habits, and professional skills while working with modern technologies under the guidance of experienced professionals. The model will also contribute to better aligning vocational education with the needs of employers and to preparing a new generation of skilled workers.

During his visit to CZ, Minister Karel Havlíček also toured the company’s firearms collection and visited selected workplaces where students from SŠ-COPT Uherský Brod will undertake their dual practical education. This gave him an opportunity to see firsthand the environment, technological equipment, and conditions in which their practical training will take place.