Over 60% of classes in secondary education are expected to be vocational in the next academic year . This was announced by the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov during the round table “The relationship between education and the labor market: Building attractive professions and addressing current challenges– necessary changes and reforms", organized by the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria.
The admission plan for the next academic year is still being discussed. In addition to the increase in enrollment in professional classes, efforts will also be made to promote them, the minister noted. He pointed out that certain professions provide very good opportunities for personal development of students, which children and parents should be familiar with.
During the round table, the relationship between education and the business need for qualified personnel was discussed. “Time to look a little further into the future. "Let's see how to solve these problems not through individual actions, but through a comprehensive concept," said Minister Tsokov. He pointed out that modern education systems are looking for very different solutions on how to connect education with the labor market, which is extremely dynamic today. Professions that are in high demand today may be replaced by others in a few years.
„The children of the alpha generation, who are now students, will work at least two or three professions during their lives”, the minister noted. Therefore, our education should be competence-oriented towards the formation of key life skills, processes that have been going on for 10-15 years in other educational systems. “This will, to a much greater extent, give greater flexibility and dynamism in the preparation of various personnel on the labor market. These children must have developed key transversal skills, be able to master professional knowledge in various fields”, noted Minister Tsokov.
In his words, it is necessary to adopt a national concept of education and to use it as a platform for the unification of Bulgaria from the point of view of its future - not only of the political parties, but also of the whole society – employers, social partners, parents. “We as a society must accept that education is something that can develop Bulgaria and give it a better future”, the minister pointed out.
The deputy minister of labor and social policy Natalia Efremova, the chairman of the Management Board of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria Vasil Velev, the chairman of the Council of Rectors prof. Miglena Temelkova, the president of the Union of Bulgarian Teachers, Ph.D. Yanka Takeva, the head of the office of the Minister of Education and Science Natalia Mihalevska, the secretary of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria for Education, Culture and Tourism Ilin Dimitrov, representatives of employer and trade union organizations, the academic community and experts from the Ministry of Education and Culture.