The dual system in Bulgaria - new good practices in cooperation between employers and education

BIA – Bulgarian Industrial Association 29.01.2016

Budapest, Hungary

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

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 65 thousand young people are registered at employment offices, which is 15% of all registered15% of all registered102 thousand young people are outside the labor market (unemployed and 102 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 people50% of registered unemployed youths are with primary or lower education50% of registered unemployed youths are with primary or lower educationThe share of young people without qualifications and specialty is 62%The share of young people without qualifications and specialty is 62%

Negative assessments

Introduction of new technologiesBusiness environmentQuality of educationSkilling of the workforceEffectiveness of institutions

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

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

Practices in dual training

The practical training is organized in a real working environment in one or a The 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 the Learning through work is carried out on the basis of: Agreement between the educational institution and employer / training and Contract concluded educational institution and employer / training and Contract concluded between the student and the employer.between the student and the employer.

Challenges for the employers

Preparatory stage:Preparatory stage:Anticipation of personnel; Finding a suitable training organization / partner; Joint Anticipation 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 of Creating 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 undergone Identifying 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 state Funding: Allocation of own funds; Attracting European funds; Funding from the state budget.budget.

Employers' 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.

BIA's research in connection with the duality training

Businesses and schools still not ready for dual educationBusinesses 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.

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 .

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.

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.

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?