Bulgarian government plans for modernisation of the education sector are coming to fruition through a new bilateral project for dual vocational training.
Bulgaria has launched a project to introduce a dual vocational training system with the support of the government of Switzerland. Funding of CHF 3.5 million (around €3.3 million) will be provided by the Bulgarian–Swiss Cooperation Programme. The project aims to create a working model to build the required capacity for the introduction of dual education in Bulgaria, using Swiss experience in the field of vocational training. The plan foresees the implementation of a complete educational cycle for several professions, with the participation of companies from the relevant sectors. A new approach will be taken to the development and implementation of curricula.
The agreement, signed in May 2015, will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of the Economy. A major Swiss partner is the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training; the Bulgarian–Swiss Chamber of Commerce will also provide support. The project covers a period of four years, and pilot training is planned for launch in the school year 2015–2016. In each subsequent year of the project, new jobs and vocational schools will be created.