Professional Education in Bulgaria: Imbalance between Training and Labor Market

The Institute for Market Economics (IME) published a comprehensive study that reveals critical discrepancies in the national vocational education system. Through an innovative Correspondence Index, experts assess how well prepared specialists meet the actual needs of the labor market.

The research methodology includes a comparison between planned enrollment in vocational high schools and actual employment distribution across economic sectors. The scale ranges from 0 to 100 points, with higher values indicating better alignment between education and the labor market.

The national results for 2025 are alarming - the index reaches only 52.8 points, which means that for about half of the trained professionals, there is no adequate market demand. This trend has been deepening in recent years, especially in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

Regional differences are extremely indicative. The regions of Dobrich (64.9 points), Yambol (62.0 points), and Silistra (60.2 points) demonstrate relatively good correspondence, while Kyustendil (32.9 points), Vidin (33.7 points), and Kardzhali (34.5 points) suffer from a drastic imbalance between educational profiles and local economic realities.

The capital performs better with 56.8 points, thanks to stronger correspondence in technological and transport sectors. IME experts emphasize that the system is more focused on filling classes than on the actual needs of businesses.

Among the study's recommendations are several key directions for reform: introducing broader sectoral education, developing dual training, improving professional orientation, and creating more flexible opportunities for changing specialties.

Special emphasis is placed on the need to increase labor mobility. Experts believe that encouraging readiness to migrate in search of work can mitigate regional imbalances and improve overall employment.

The IME study represents a serious call to educational and economic factors for urgent and targeted reforms in vocational training.