WBL Final Conference
On 16 October 2025, the Final Conference of the Balkan WBL Cooperation Project was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The project brought together partner organisations from Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania to develop recommendations for improving the implementation of work-based learning (WBL).
The conference provided a platform for a wide range of stakeholders to share their perspectives on the future development of dual vocational education and training in the Balkan region. During the event, the project team presented a comprehensive report containing practical recommendations in the following areas:
- Improving the governance and policy coordination of vocational education and work-based learning;
- Updating curricula in line with labour market trends and emerging skills needs;
- Strengthening cooperation with employers, including SMEs and local chambers of commerce;
- Increasing the attractiveness and visibility of dual vocational education and training;
- Enhancing quality assurance, monitoring learning outcomes, and improving access for learners from vulnerable groups.
As part of the programme, Ms Vanya Tividosheva, Director of the Vocational Education and Training Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria, presented the “Modernisation of Vocational Education and Training” project and outlined the vision for the ongoing reform of the national education system.
The panel discussion highlighted several key topics, including the importance of career guidance in attracting learners to the dual education system, the potential for further developing work-based learning through lifelong learning policies, and the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence to support the ongoing transformation of vocational education and training at a systemic level.