The caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Nikola Stoyanov and Austrian Ambassador in Sofia Andrea Ikic-Bohm visited Gebruder Weiss - one of the enterprises included in a dual training programme, Stoyanov's Ministry reported on Friday. "Bulgaria needs to give a major boost to dual education at national level. It is therefore very important to study good practices and solve existing problems," said the Minister.
More than 1,150 Bulgarian students are being trained through work in Bulgarian companies under an Austrian project.
The Austrian GODUAL project sets a very positive example, Stoyanov pointed out. He spoke to the 15 students, who are being trained through work at Gebruder Weiss. The students confirmed that the knowledge they are gaining is extremely useful. They have the ambition to develop in the logistics sector. Gebruder Weiss CEO Marieta Grigorova said that their company is not only actively involved in the project but will also offer jobs to the students once they graduate. The students will also have the opportunity to continue their higher education, if they so wish.
Ikic-Bohm said: "Dual education is very popular in Austria, as it enables students to acquire specialized knowledge and qualifications faster and in a practice-oriented way in a real professional environment. This allows them to successfully enter the profession they have studied after leaving school". She pointed at Friday's meeting as an example of the good relations between Austria and Bulgaria, which are also reflected in the economy.
The project GODUAL is part of the international initiative GO-INTERNATIONAL of the Austrian Ministry of Labour and Economy and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. It aims to provide the necessary qualified workforce for business through better vocational education in Bulgaria. Within the framework of the project, more than 1,150 Bulgarian students from 30 schools are involved for the 2022/2023 schoolyear.
/RY/
