“When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade.” This proverbial phrase by prominent American writer and lecturer Dale Carnegie should not be forgotten by people when facing adversity, like losing their job. Positive thinking invariably yields better results than… doing nothing. One way to grab your chance and take a new turn in life is re-qualification and acquiring new skills at any time of life. This is the kind of chance the occupational training centres in Bulgaria offer people aged over 16. These centres are under the supervision of the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training which licenses them, thus guaranteeing a high-quality of education.

“There are currently 911 occupational training centres in the country. Of them six are licensed vocational training and information centres", Mariana Pavlova, Deputy Director of the Agency explains. "83 licenses for such centres were issued in 2013 and 60 were amended. The centres themselves enroll trainees, though there are people who themselves apply for acquiring a new profession or refining their skills. The place they choose to train depends on which professions the license of the centre in question has been issued for.  For now, the biggest investor in professional training is the Employment Agency as it finances the prequalification of both unemployed and people holding a job under the I Can Do More and I Can programmes, funded under the European Human Resources Development Operational Programme.

In 2013 a mere 15 percent of the trainees financed their training themselves, Mariana Pavlova adds. Around 35 percent of the people underwent training financed by the Employment Agency, while for the rest – their qualification and prequalification was funded by the respective companies. Upon completion of their training, the centres issue two kinds of certificates that are recognized by the state – for professional qualification and for occupational training, both recognized within the EU after legalization. This increases the chance of many Bulgarians of finding a job in another EU member state. And many of them do so. But which are the most wanted professions? In 2013, Mariana Pavlova explains, the greatest number of trainees opted for motor vehicle drivers. This is the professional qualification acquired by 6,097 Bulgarians. The training covers 300 hours. The other preferred profession is…security guard with 10,150 having trained for it. These impressive numbers are due to the fact that the Private Security Act stipulates that people practicing this profession should undergo prequalification over a given period of time for brushing up their competences. This is a profession that is, for the time being, a popular one in Bulgaria, as are the professions of hairdresser and beautician – almost 3,000 have received their certificates. Then come the professions in the sphere of tourism – hotel and restaurant keeping and catering. Professional certificates can be obtained also for chef, bartender, waiter, and chambermaid. Thus by mastering a profession, many people, especially the young who are not planning to go to university are able to secure a future for themselves and not just inside Bulgaria. And one little known fact. Do you know how many professions there are in Bulgaria? Exactly 239. And it is the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training that is responsible for updating and amending this list, depending on the supply and demand on the labour market. The Agency, set up in 1999 has one more task – to set down the state educational criteria for acquiring the given qualification. In recent years professions such as paramedic – the person who gives first aid and who keeps the patient alive until his arrival patient at the hospital – were added to the list of professions in the country. Carers, health assistants and renewable energy technicians are also among the professions added to this list recently.

English version: Milena Daynova