site.btaGovernment Adopts Strategy for Development of Vocational Training, Education

Government Adopts Strategy for Development of  Vocational Training, Education

Sofia, October 22 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers Wednesday
adopted a strategy for the development of vocational education
and training in Bulgaria in 2015-2020, the Government's
information service said.

Data of the Education and Science Ministry indicate that in the
past 14 years the number of students in vocational schools
decreased by nearly 25,000 to 140,882 students in the 2013/2014
school year, which requires urgent measures to encourage
youngsters to choose vocational education.

The goal of the strategy adopted on Wednesday is to, on the one
hand, ensure a highly-skilled workforce for the business, and on
the other, overcome the early school drop-outs by pupils form
poorer families, and also to provide an opportunity for adult
education in given vocations, which is to take place in
vocational schools or centres for vocational training.

The strategy also pays attention to the so-called dual education
system which combines apprenticeships in a company and
vocational education at a vocational school. Such education is
to be delivered in partnership between the vocational schools,
colleges or centres for vocational training and one or more
employers. The system is expected to improve the practical
skills of students, their adaptability and employability.
Conditions will be created to improve the teaching facilities
which will be up-to-date with the modern requirements for
training in the respective vocation.

The system for validation of knowledge, skills and competences
acquired in informal education and self-schooling will be
completed and improved. A credit system will be introduced in
vocational education to facilitate the transfer, recognition and
accumulation of individual learning results.

The strategy envisages ensuring easily accessible and
high-quality services for career orientation of students in
schools. "Protected" occupations are to be introduced.

The strategy is aligned with the goals of the EU's Europe 2020
Strategy. The funds for its implementation will come from the
national budget, the relevant national programmes and from the
Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth.