On 12 June 2019, the Second National Conference “Dual education – a road to opportunities” will present the Bulgarian model of dual education, which has been elaborated under the DOMINO Project with the financial support of the Swiss government.
The Minister of Education and Science Krassimir Valchev and the Swiss Ambassador Muriel Berset Kohen will address the event and Deputy Minister of Economy Lilia Ivanova will take part in the discussions.
Organized by DOMINO and the Ministry of Education and Science, the conference has the ambition to outline the vision for the further development of dual education in Bulgaria. With more than 180 Bulgarian and foreign participants, the discussions will present the views of policy makers, representatives of vocational schools and business, as well as Swiss experts. The most actively involved in the implementation of dual education – schools and companies – will be awarded for their persistent efforts.
1 600 students from 32 vocational schools in 19 cities across the country are enrolled in the dual form of education under the model “learning by working” under the Project DOMINO (the Bulgarian abbreviation for dual education for the modern needs and requirements of the society). The graduates leave school with a diploma and a certificate for professional qualification in prestigious professions, which are demanded by the business. DOMINO partners are 170 Bulgarian and foreign companies, who offer to students not just practice, but also training from skilled mentors and work in real working environment paid under a labour contract. Dual education paved the way to the youngster from the dual classes to the labour market: 70 % of the DOMINO graduates are already working in the company where they have gained working experience while still in school.
„The success of the project is the introduction and implementation of a new system of vocational education in the country within only four years, as well as the active involvement of the Bulgarian business. DOMINO gave a career impetus to many young people and a hope for their future in Bulgaria”, says Petya Evtimova, the project team leader. „The utmost challenge at the current stage is to secure the sustainability of the dual system after the end of Switzerland’s support”.
„From dual education you can only win. After 10th grade we are already working, with a wage of 90 % of the minimum salary”, says student Eleonora Angelova from the Vocational School for Tourism “P.K.Yavorov” – Dobrich, a professional cook to be. ”The three years in the dual class have entirely changed my life: I have a profession and a guaranteed job! I believe that one day I will have my dream come true – to run my own restaurant”.
The Ministry of Education and Science has already made a dedicated commitment to dual education by paying students’ scholarships, which has been introduced by the DOMINO Project. Amendments in the Act for Vocational Education and Training embedded dual education in the Bulgarian educational system.
DOMINO Project:
The project started in 2015 with two schools. The DOMINO total budget amounts 3`530`000 Swiss francs, including 15% co-funding from the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science.
DOMINO is using mainly the experience of Switzerland, as well as the good practices of other countries and the old traditions of Bulgarian vocational education. Dual education is one of the key factors for the economic success and competitiveness of Switzerland and for the low rates of youth unemployment in the country.
See more at: http://dominoproject.bg/en/
See the programme of the Conference