ONLY HALF OF THE PLACES AT VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN SMOLYAN ARE BEING FILLED

he education system is failing to provide workers for the sectors where businesses are experiencing the most severe labour shortages. This is shown by an analysis by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) of the admissions plan in the Smolyan region, which is part of a broader study of the regional labour market.

“The situation in Smolyan turned out to be the most alarming of the five regions we analysed,” Svetlana Doncheva of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) told Radio Plovdiv.

According to her, vocational schools in the region announce an average of around 550 places each year, but only about 300 are filled, or approximately 54%.

“This is the lowest rate of admissions plan fulfilment that we have identified,” Doncheva said.

The largest number of places is offered for professions in tourism, information technology and technical fields. These specialisations also turn out to be the most popular among applicants.

“Where the largest number of places is offered, the enrolment rate is highest. This shows that the system is trying to adapt to students’ preferences and offers professions that sound modern,” Svetlana Doncheva explained.

However, she noted that this does not correspond to the actual needs of the local economy.

Employers face the most serious shortages of workers in clothing manufacturing, automotive components, woodworking and manufacturing.

“Thirty-three percent of those employed in the Smolyan region work in manufacturing. At the same time, the professions that should prepare workers for these companies attract extremely little interest. For specialisations such as wood processing technician-technologist and clothing production operator, not a single student has enrolled for six years,” she said.

According to the analysis, the reasons for unfilled places include both demographic trends and students’ preference for general secondary education, particularly language, mathematics and commerce-focused schools.

Smolyan is among the regions with the fastest-ageing populations. The labour force replacement ratio is only 26. This means that for every 100 employed people over the age of 55, there are only 26 employed people under 30.

“Over the next five to ten years, labour market problems will become more severe because of the shortage of people,” Svetlana Doncheva warned.

She also drew attention to the competition between vocational and general secondary schools.

“In Smolyan, language and mathematics schools traditionally achieve the highest results in state matriculation exams. It is perfectly logical for students and their parents to prefer schools that provide a stronger general education.”

Despite the labour shortage, the region’s economy continues to develop. According to BIA data, between 2019 and 2023, the number of enterprises in Smolyan increased by approximately 22%, while investment and the number of micro-enterprises also grew.

“Employers are already feeling the consequences of the labour shortage. This is affecting their competitiveness and their ability to develop,” Doncheva commented.

According to BIA, the solution lies in closer cooperation between businesses and the education system.

“Vocational schools should offer not simply training for a particular profession, but a pathway to a successful career. The admissions planning process should take place at a later stage—around 10th grade—when young people are already making a more informed choice,” Svetlana Doncheva believes.

According to the analysis, what is needed includes higher-quality vocational education, more active participation by employers in workforce training, and policies to address regional imbalances and retain young people, so that the education system can better respond to the needs of businesses in the region.