site.btaJobTiger’s Petkov at Ruse Career Days: Despite Business Challenges, Skilled Workers Still in Demand

Business in Bulgaria and across Europe has faced serious challenges over the past year, which in turn affects job and career development opportunities at companies, operational manager at JobTiger Hristiyan Petkov told BTA’s Andrey Kyuchukov Wednesday.

Petkov was interviewed at the National Career Days organised by JobTiger at Ruse University Angel Kanchev.

Ruse Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov noted the importance of such events, especially at a time when global markets are contracting. Thirteen companies in fields including trade, automotive, metalworking, energy, and transport participated this year, down from 21 in 2024.

“It is encouraging to see businesses still investing in young people and their professional development,” Petkov said. “Our goal is precisely to connect young people with companies and give them information about the opportunities they offer for career growth.”

He added that the current business downturn is not always obvious but does reduce options for those with less experience. Meanwhile, more firms are using artificial intelligence for tasks once carried out solely by young people and students, though “the labour market is similar to last year’s,” he said. “There is a lot of hiring in trade, hospitality, and catering ahead of the tourist season. There is also a shortage of highly qualified staff.”

National Railway Infrastructure Company chief HR expert Daniel Hadzhidimitrov told BTA they have around 1,000 vacancies and struggle to find the necessary qualified personnel.

Ruse University Rector Desislava Atanasova said successful career orientation and professional fulfilment are among the institution’s key priorities. “I am looking for something not only for the summer but also a more secure future job,” second-year Internet and Mobile Communications student Ognyan Petrov said.

“These events help our students find suitable internships each summer and start work immediately after graduation,” head of the university’s Career Development Centre Daniela Yordanova told BTA. “We see growing demand for highly qualified employees in engineering specialties, as well as experts with English and German language skills.”

Petkov declined to predict the near future due to rapid changes. “We started with a COVID pandemic, then a war in Ukraine, another war in Israel, and an economic crisis. We do not yet know how actions by the US government and Donald Trump will affect our market,” he said, but voiced hope that next year would bring economic growth and better opportunities for all.