site.btaEducation Minister: DOMINO 2 Programme Will Motivate More Students and Employers to Join Dual Education

Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev said at the launch of the DOMINO 2 programme on Thursday that he is convinced that the programme will motivate more educational institutions, employers, and students to participate in the dual form of education. 

The programme focuses on the development and expansion of dual education. The Bulgarian-Swiss initiative has a budget of CHF 5.8 million and will run from 2025 to 2029. It builds on the results of the first DOMINO project, this time placing stronger emphasis on the active involvement of businesses.

Vulchev expressed gratitude to the Swiss government for its support. “Against the background of all education funding, these funds may seem modest, but they are precisely targeted and highly useful. They are intended to change policies and build on existing models in the education system. With the first DOMINO project, we introduced dual education in practice, and the Swiss expertise was invaluable,” he noted.

The minister added that the project will encourage more schools, employers, and students to embrace dual education, while also benefitting from Swiss know-how. He stressed the proven advantages of dual education and said the new programme will support ongoing reforms in vocational training, including standards, curricula, and skills development.

DOMINO 2 was presented by its head, Polina Zlatarska of the Education Ministry’s Vocational Education and Training Directorate, who highlighted career development as a key priority. Three Swiss organisations will participate as partners to help transfer the Swiss dual training model. Schools will be able to apply under the programme, and young ambassadors will promote dual education.

Swiss Ambassador to Bulgaria Pierre Hagmann also attended the launch event.