VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN BULGARIA Assoc. Prof. Diana Popova, PhD Bourgas Free University, Bulgaria

Description of the VET System in Bulgaria Bodies responsible for Vocational Education and Training (VET):  Ministry of Education and Science;  Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Ministry of Education and Science:  national programmes for secondary and higher education,  qualification and re-qualification;  research and lifelong learning;  information and communication technologies;  qualification and career development of teachers;  state educational requirements, programmes and materials;  national examination programmes;  assistance, coordination, control and inspection of activities, etc.

Bodies responsible for VET Ministry of Labour and Social Policy:  implements the state policy on vocational education and training;  identifies the needs of vocational education and training;  analyzes trends in the labour market;  updates the requirements for acquiring qualifications in professions;  participates in the coordination of the List of Professions for VET;  determines requirements for health/safety conditions in practical training;  participates in the organization of vocational guidance, etc.

Responsibilities Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and Ministry for Education and Science – adult education and training (Continuous Vocational Education and Training - CVET). National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET) – licensing of activities in VET system. Main functions of NAVET: to issue/suspend permits for provision of vocational training and guidance services; to control the activities of licensed vocational training centers and information and vocational guidance centers; to elaborate the List of Professions for VET and the State Educational Requirements for acquisition of qualification by professions, etc.

Documents Vocational Education and Training Act – VETA (1999) – the basic law, which regulates the VET system. Recognition of Vocational Qualification Act – RVQA (2008) – regulates the conditions and rules for the recognition of vocational qualifications, acquired in other EU member states or third countries in order to gain access to the labour market.

Structure of the educational system in Bulgaria Pre-school education School education:  Basic education- comprises primary school (grades 1-4) and pre-secondary school (grades 5-8).  Secondary education- divided into secondary general and secondary vocational. Higher education

Training institutions within the VET system Vocational schools, Vocational gymnasiums, Art schools, Sport schools, Vocational colleges, Vocational training centers, Information and vocational guidance centers.

System of vocational education and training Includes vocational guidance, vocational education and vocational training. Vocational training includes:  Initial vocational training - acquisition of initial vocational qualifications in a profession or part of the profession.  Continuing professional education - improvement of the acquired qualifications in a profession or part of the profession.

Vocational schools Vocational schools - initial vocational training for acquisition of 1st and 2nd degree of vocational qualifications and partial professional qualifications with duration of study up to 4 years. Vocational gymnasiums - vocational education for acquisition of 2nd degree of vocational qualification with 4- year period of study or of a 3rd degree of a vocational qualification with duration of study 4 or 5 years. Basic education graduates or students with 7th completed grade can be admitted to them. The vocational high schools can provide also vocational training for acquisition of 4th degree of vocational qualification.

Details Vocational schools and vocational gymnasiums - for adults (aged14 years and above). Art schools - for 3rd degree of a vocational qualification with 4- year period of study after basic education completed. Sport schools - for 3rd degree with 4-year period of study after basic education completed. Vocational colleges – for 4th degree of a vocational qualifications with up to 2-year period of study depending on the degree of vocational qualification, which has already been held. Secondary education graduates can be admitted to them. Vocational training centers (VTC) – for people 16+. Information and vocational guidance centers (IVGC) – career guidance for students and other people. Can be public, municipal or private, Bulgarian with foreign participation or foreign.

Some statistics Voc. Gymnasi ums Art Schools Sport Schools Voc. Colleges Private schools Total № Schools № of Students 2013/ ,3%4,71%4,92%7,99%11,88%112% 2000/ ,55%+ 14,3%+53,85 % ,71%)

Initial VET (IVET) IVET – in vocational schools, vocational gymnasiums, art schools and sport schools. IVET along with secondary education. IVET for people at vocational training centers, vocational colleges, vocational schools, vocational gymnasiums, art schools and sport schools. Equal access to IVET – guaranteed by common access requirements for state-owned and municipal VET schools.

Continuing VET (CVET) CVET - training for people 16+ who are not in the formal education system (employed/unemployed). CVET – organized through courses at the VET schools. Responsible – Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. VET Act – legal basis of CVET to guarantee quality in line with the labour market demand. Employment Promotion Act regulates the introduction of active measures on the labour market to boost the employment rate and enhance the qualifications of the workforce.

VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS IN BURGAS High School of Commerce High School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronics High School of Electrical Engineering and Electronics High School of Transport High School of Construction, Architecture and Geodesy High School of Tourism High School of Chemical Technologies High School of Maritime Shipping and Fishing High School of Woodworking High School of Construction and Installations

Challenges for the VET system To link it closely to the economic priorities of municipalities and regions; To finance VET schools with regional and national importance; To protect certain jobs; To implement workshop-based dual programmes; To facilitate access to VET of specific target groups; To provide career guidance based on labour market information.

Challenges for the VET system To make VET more attractive by:  Enhancing the quality of VET;  Developing skills in real-life work environment;  Involving businesses in the provision of jobs for VET students;  Involving businesses in financing workshop-based dual programmes.

Challenges for the VET system Reduce the number of early school leavers and of those with low education and qualification level (Percentage of early school leavers –12.5%, 2013, Eurostat); Create new education opportunities through workshop-based dual education; “In a number of Member States the proportion of pupils dropping out early or even not attending school at all is especially high among ethnic minority groups, such as Roma. In 2011 more than 10 % of Roma children were not attending compulsory education in Romania, Bulgaria, France and Italy” (Europe 2020 indicators – education).

Challenges for the VET system Improve the image of VET in society and among young people; Provide scholarships for high grades and achievements in the job; Motivate business to create jobs for VET students; Update the skills and qualifications of teachers/trainers in VET; Attract young people with degrees to teach at the VET establishments.

Traditional roles that VET plays in countries like Bulgaria Prevent and offset the risks of social exclusion that result from high rates of early school leavers and school failure. Combat youth unemployment and contribute to the re-training of workers. Support knowledge-based economy – emerging role in the 21st Century.

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