On March 7, 2016 was held the third session of the Forum for dual- track education within the Bulgarian- Swiss project “DOMINO” (Bulgarian abbreviation for “Dual Education for the Modern Requirements and Needs of Society”). The main objective of the project is to create a model and build-up capacity to implement the principles of work- based learning (“learning by doing”) in the Bulgarian system of vocational education. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the Swiss confederation in the framework of the Bulgarian- Swiss cooperation programme. Its total amount is CHF 3 530 000 of which 15 % represent the Bulgarian contribution (CHF 529 500).
The forum aims to coordinate the participation of all stakeholders in the process of introducing the dual- track approach in the Bulgarian education system – state institutions, private companies, professional organizations, business and trade unions, local institutions and NGOs. The participants agreed that an employment contract between the student and the company should be signed for practical training in grades 11 and 12, although the education in the dual form begins in the 8th grade. The forum also offers that in the legislation should be specified that the companies involved in the dual- track education system should be able to provide not less than 70% of compulsory practical training content. For unused skills the school and the partner companies should prepare a plan- schedule for practical training which cover and the other 30%. At the forum also been discussed the procedures and criteria for the inclusion of companies in the system of dual- track education and the quality control of provided training.
According to the DOMINO project, from September 2015 began the training of 81 students – in the specialties “Technician- technologist in dairy production” and “Machine technician- CNC machines” at two Bulgarian vocational schools. During the 2016- 2017 school year is provided the inclusion of three new professions from various professional fields, as well as new vocational schools and companies in the project. Within each year in the learning process will increase the number of hours of work in a real working environment and finally they will achieve two days a week at school and the other three will be at the involved companies with payment according to the contract. Till 2019, the project DOMINO is expected to cover a total number of 1200 students in 15 vocational schools, trained in ten professions.
Links:
http://www.mon.bg/?go=page&pageId=13&subpageId=1228
https://www.facebook.com/swissdualeducationbulgaria/timeline?ref=page_internal
