The Ministry of Education and Science has launched a large-scale project to improve the connection between higher education and the labor market.

The Ministry of Education and Science has launched an ambitious project, funded by the European Social Fund Plus, to improve the link between higher education and the labor market in Bulgaria. The project "From Higher Education to Employment" will cover over 46,000 students across the country and will provide them with practical training in enterprises and organizations, as well as pilot dual education in higher education institutions.

A key element of the project is the development of entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy among students, as well as support for career counselors in universities to track the professional realization of graduated students. For this purpose, a number of events and trainings are planned, including student clubs on social entrepreneurship and innovation, hackathons, business simulations, and training on green technologies.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science as a specific beneficiary under the "Education" Program 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus. The total budget of the project amounts to 187,247,591 leva, and the activities will be carried out until the end of 2029.

The project's information system is now open, through which all activities related to the implementation of student practical training will be organized. Students and employers who wish to participate can register at the address edujobs.mon.bg, where employers will post announcements for positions where student internships can be conducted, and students will be able to apply for them.

A total of 44 higher education institutions are partners in the project, and they will also work through the information system, organizing, selecting, and controlling the entire process. In this way, the platform will connect trainees, universities, and businesses in a single digital environment.

The practical training under the project will cover over 40,000 students in various forms, with over 16,000 of them from the fields of technical sciences, pedagogical sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and informatics. Over 2,500 students will undergo a pilot model for dual education, combining academic and real-world work environments.

The project aims to encourage the participation of businesses in the training process, as students will gain practical experience in enterprises, institutions, and organizations, corresponding to the profile of their training. In turn, employers will be able to participate as training organizations and attract young talents with up-to-date knowledge.