BCCI and an Italian delegation have discussed the exchange of "best practices" and introductions of innovative methods in training

The visit took place within a project, aimed to promote and enrich the knowledge of  people working in vocational education and training (VET) and contribute to the exchange of "best practices" and introduction of  innovative methods in the training of students in vocational schools. The key point of the project is to increase the specialization of participants. There are two main types of specific  activities to be implemented:  activities aimed at students, unemployed or seeking employment; activities aimed at those working in the sector of education, training and work.

During the discussions the President of the BCCI Tsvetan Simeonov familiarized the Italian delegation with the guidelines and problems of vocational training in Bulgaria and the demands of employers for improvement of the level of qualification and skills of students graduating from vocational schools.

Italian lecturers shared their experience in vocational training based on the territorial independence and subsidized training based on compulsory membership with the Chamber of Commerce.

Countries, partners in the project, presented a kind of a learning environment - from the sectors of  industry and mechatronics, where the best conditions at European level are developed and the highest levels in the sector are achieved, or represent areas where the cost of labor and industrial type historical culture, allow introduction of new industries in need of skilled labor.

The BCCI presented its position on cooperation between educational institutions and entrepreneurs in the country, with the aim of achieving quality in education. The President of the Chamber emphasized the need the students under the state quota to commit themselves to work in our country for a specific period of time.

It became clear in the course of the meeting that the main demands of employers in Bulgaria with regard to vocational education and training are:

• increasing the suitability of trainees to the requirements of practice (practical suitability);
• participation of business representatives in the process of training as "mentors" and “coaches”;
• periodic retraining of personnel with clearly established validity periods of professional qualifications by introducing clear rules - for example: electrician - retraining every three years through compulsory 1-month / 2-month training course to generate awareness of new technologies.