Doubling Dual Education: Businesses Open Doors to the Young

Is dual education gaining momentum in our country, or is this just another initiative that will be lost in the sea of reforms? The latest data from the Ministry of Education, announced at an event in Burgas, give some hope – at least at first glance.

More Employers, More Opportunities?

According to official statistics, the number of employers hiring students in dual education has increased by 10% – from 661 during the 2024/2025 academic year to 727 at the beginning of 2026. It seems that businesses are increasingly actively involved in preparing their future workforce, offering a real working environment during their school years. But what lies behind these numbers? Is this a real breakthrough, or just a cosmetic change?

The event at which these data were presented took place at the Professional High School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronics (PGMEE) in Burgas – one of the first schools in the region to introduce dual education. Deputy Mayor for Education, Mihail Nenov, emphasized the need to introduce this model earlier, especially in high-tech sectors. It is clear that the labor market is changing, but are we adapting quickly enough?

State Support and Corporate Interest

The "Domino 2" program, which builds on the one that started in 2015, focuses on the active role of business and the creation of regional clusters for better coordination. But how does this active role manifest in reality? And what is the attitude of the state?

In 2024, the state undertook legislative changes related to the payment of social security contributions for students in dual education. The government approved 2.5 million leva to cover the compulsory social and health insurance contributions of students employed under employment contracts for the period from January to June 2025. This is an important step, but is it enough? Will these measures be sufficient to encourage more companies to get involved?

The ICT Sector: A Leading Example?

It became clear at the forum that ICT companies in Burgas are among the most active supporters of dual education. The Professional High School of Computer Programming and Innovation (PGKPI) works with them, with 51 students from 8th and 9th grades being trained in a real working environment. They study the basics of programming and develop their communication skills in English. This sounds good, but can this model be successfully applied in other sectors?

The Future of Dual Education – Unanswered Questions?

Currently, about 11,500 students in Bulgaria are involved in dual education. This is a significant number, but what is the real impact of this form of education on the quality of education and the future realization of young people? How will the labor market change if more students go through this system? Is dual education just a momentary trend, or is it a sustainable path to a better future for young economists?