site.btaBurgas Opens New Vocational Classes After Analysis of Business Needs, Says Deputy Mayor

Based on an in-depth analysis of the economic environment and business needs, Burgas Municipality opens new vocational classes and branches of higher education institutions such as those of Sofia University and the National Academy of Arts, said Burgas Deputy Mayor Mihail Nenov during the local conference held as part of the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project in Burgas on Friday.

He added that this happens in order to create the sustainable backbone of the industry that will nourish the economy with personnel and also be an engine of innovation. "There is a deep lack of vision on the part of the state, as well as on the part of the European Commission, and we are still putting together the new vision of where we want to go in order to be competitive," Nenov pointed out.

He gave two positive examples of the educational microclimate in the municipality, commenting that although people try to talk about cohesion, they are still deeply divided.  One example was related to the Kliment Ohridski Elementary School in the Rudnik district, which is a segregated school with all students from Roma ethnicity. "In order to teach students professional skills, the school successfully developed vocational training classes in car painting, signing contracts with car companies like Mercedes and Toyota, where students not only undertake their internships, but also start work," Nenov emphasised.

He added that every year the school invites representatives of the Beijing Philharmonic to teach the students music lessons and perform a concert together with the graduates. "It is an example of that unification of the entire community, so that it works for its prosperity and the successful realization of its graduates," he said.

The other example was related to the opening of the Professional School for Computer Programming and Innovation. Nenov recalled that the school model is part of the Municipality's vision for accelerated economic development, which will attract businesses with high added value. "Eight years ago, Burgas was built mainly on tourism and Lukoil Neftohim, which already showed fading functions. In order to attract companies from the high-tech sector, they are first interested in specialists", he said.

Nenov emphasised that the founding of the high school is part of the city's pride, as it shows how new schools were opened in Burgas during a time when they were closing in other cities across the country. He noted that all employer organizations in the field of IT and the outsourcing industry participate in the school's board of directors. "The final result is that from 7-8 companies in 2016, today - in 2024, there are 42 companies from the IT and the outsourcing industry with offices in Burgas," Nenov said.

Nenov also pointed out that in connection with the emergence of AI and its transformative power, Burgas Municipality has initiated the creation of AI laboratories in 2024, which, together with Intel's programmes, will create opportunities for students to learn with AI tools and master them as a technology. "Artificial intelligence may not displace professionals in various business areas, but the professionals who use it will displace those who don't," Nenov stressed.

He presented the latest project of Burgas Municipality for a student campus, the construction of which will also be financed with funds from European programmes. According to him, the campus may be the first of its kind not only in Bulgaria, but also in Europe.

Through this initiative, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. Between November 2024 and September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.