Applied Programming Training for Tenth Graders

At least 150 tenth-graders will participate in training in the specialty "Applied Programming" within the framework of the National Program of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) "Training for IT skills and career" during the next academic year. This is clear from the amendment to the national education development programs for 2025, adopted by the Council of Ministers, the government press service announced.

The initiative "Training for IT skills and career" provides an opportunity for students from tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades, who are not part of the professional field of "Computer Science", to acquire additional qualifications in applied programming. These students are trained to program outside of regular school hours – during the week, on weekends, and during vacations. The activities are organized by five centers located in key cities, namely – in Sofia, Pravets, Ruse, Plovdiv, and Burgas, with training taking place in over 40 locations across the country.

Within the current year, the program provided for the training of at least 100 eleventh-graders and another 100 twelfth-graders. Now, at the suggestion of industry organizations working in the high-tech sector, at least 150 tenth-graders will also be included in the training for the 2025/2026 academic year. The aim is to meet the growing needs of the labor market for IT specialists.

Since the beginning of the National Program in 2017 to date, over 6900 students have passed through the training. A significant part of them are already working professionally in the IT sector, and some even start their careers in technology companies while they are still students.

In July this year, according to information from BTA, a total of 121 young applied programmers, who successfully completed their training under the National Program "Training for IT skills and career", were honored in the Ministry of Education and Science for their high achievements. Certificates were also presented to nine teachers who assisted in the training of the students. The awards were presented at an official ceremony in the MES by Deputy Minister Tanya Mihaylova, who congratulated the students on their dedication and perseverance.