The document discusses the need to introduce a dual education system in Bulgaria to address issues like high youth unemployment and a discrepancy between educational standards and labor market needs. It outlines key principles of a dual system like a clear split between theoretical and practical training. It also notes challenges like employers needing to provide training environments and mentors while schools and employers currently lack readiness. Research finds a gap between education outputs and economic needs that a dual system could help address.

1. The dual system in Bulgaria - new good practices in cooperation between employers and
education
BIA – Bulgarian Industrial Association
29.01.2016
Budapest, Hungary

2. No work for the people - no people to work.
Youth unemployment - high dropout rate.
Discrepancy between professional and educational standards.
New technologies - conservative educational system.
Needs of the labor market - the lack of a system for forecasting the needs of staff.
Globalizing labor market - does not meet the globalization educational system.
Защо е необходимо да се въведе дуалната система
в България
Защо е необходимо да се въведе дуалната система
в БългарияWhy is it necessary to introduce a dual system in
Bulgaria?
Why is it necessary to introduce a dual system in
Bulgaria?

3. Why is it necessary to introduce a dual system
in Bulgaria?
Why is it necessary to introduce a dual system
in Bulgaria?
65 thousand young people are registered at employment offices, which is 15% of65 thousand young people are registered at employment offices, which is 15% of
all registeredall registered
102 thousand young people are outside the labor market (unemployed and102 thousand young people are outside the labor market (unemployed and
discouraged)discouraged)
23.4% of all registered unemployed with higher education are young people23.4% of all registered unemployed with higher education are young people
50% of registered unemployed youths are with primary or lower education50% of registered unemployed youths are with primary or lower education
The share of young people without qualifications and specialty is 62%The share of young people without qualifications and specialty is 62%

4. Negative assessmentsNegative assessments
Introduction of new technologies
Business environment
Quality of education
Skilling of the workforce
Effectiveness of institutions

5. Vocational training through employment (dual training) is organized and conducted in
accordance with the Law on Vocational Education and Training and the Labour Code.
State educational standards for vocational education and training have been developed on the
basis of professional standards developed and adopted by the economic sectors and social
partners.
Learning through work is carried out within the framework developed curricula for dual
training.
Curricula and training programs through work prepared on the basis of state educational
standards in professions and framework programs for dual training.
Basic principles of duality training in Bulgaria -
the role of legislation
Basic principles of duality training in Bulgaria -
the role of legislation

6. The main target group through job training for students of class XI and XII, aged
16 years old.
Clearly stipulated ratio between the hours of theory and practice in training
through work.
The list of professions for dual training, approved by the Minister of Education, in
consultation with the social partners and the sectoral ministries, is entirely based
on the list of professions for vocational education and training.
Basic principles of duality training in Bulgaria –
the role of legislation

7. Practices in dual trainingPractices in dual training
The practical training is organized in a real working environment in one or aThe practical training is organized in a real working environment in one or a
group of employers from the economic sector.group of employers from the economic sector.
Learning through work is carried out on the basis of: Agreement between theLearning through work is carried out on the basis of: Agreement between the
educational institution and employer / training and Contract concludededucational institution and employer / training and Contract concluded
between the student and the employer.between the student and the employer.

8. Challenges for the employersChallenges for the employers
Preparatory stage:Preparatory stage:
Anticipation of personnel; Finding a suitable training organization / partner; JointAnticipation of personnel; Finding a suitable training organization / partner; Joint
development of relevant needs of curricula, programs, schedules and more.development of relevant needs of curricula, programs, schedules and more.
Creating the necessary conditions: Determination of suitable jobs for recruitment ofCreating the necessary conditions: Determination of suitable jobs for recruitment of
trainees - healthy and safe working conditions, adequate equipment and others.trainees - healthy and safe working conditions, adequate equipment and others.
Identifying appropriate mentors - masters in their profession that had undergoneIdentifying appropriate mentors - masters in their profession that had undergone
special training for teaching.special training for teaching.
Funding: Allocation of own funds; Attracting European funds; Funding from the stateFunding: Allocation of own funds; Attracting European funds; Funding from the state
budget.budget.

9. Employers' participation in the learning processEmployers' participation in the learning process
Developing professional standards;
Participation in the development of qualification standards;
Participation in commissions for conducting qualification
examinations;
Participation in conducting training courses for teachers related to
new equipment and technologies;
Participation in the external evaluation of the quality of vocational
training.

10. BIA's research in connection with the duality training
Businesses and schools still not ready for dual education
Businesses and schools are still not ready for dual education. Education
based on apprenticeship is familiar to 1/5 of employers and to 30% of
vocational schools, a survey of the Bulgarian Industrial Association suggests.
2/3 of teachers are skeptical about the introduction of dual education. The
main stumbling blocks they point to are lack of interest from employers and
the need for extra financing.
The survey has found a deepening gap between education and demand
and supply in the labor market. There are more than 200 occupations
affected by deficits: technicians, mechanics, machine operators etc. and
the output of vocational schools fails to respond to the needs of economy.
The so-called dual education that includes apprenticeships was introduced
to Bulgaria by way of an amendment to the Education Act.

11. Training in higher education - an opportunity for the future
Binding of practical work in the company and theoretical lectures in high school;
Both forms are alternated with each other throughout the study;
 A contract between the company and the university;
At the end of the course the student receives a diploma for practical training /
qualification / and a bachelor's degree .

12. Achievements of Bulgaria in the introduction of duality training
Establish the legislative framework;
Inform and raise awareness among the public;
Initiate pilot projects financed with EU funds.

13. Barriers to realize the dual training in Bulgaria
There is no tradition of learning and certification of learning in the workplace;
Negative attitudes in society;
Lack of funding from employers.

14. Some issues for discussion
Do employers have interest to introduce dual training? (Remember - in Bulgaria, the
employer pays the salary of the trainee during the training!)
Do training institutions have interest to introduce dual training?
Do people have interest to engage in dual training?
Provocation in question: would you advise your son or daughter to join the dual
training?