EUROPEAN SURVEY *: 92% OF BULGARIAN ADULTS EXPECT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TO BE A PRIORITY
At least two-thirds of the adults in each EU Member State agree that their government should prioritize investing in learning and training. According to a study by the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in Bulgaria, the number is 92%. Arguments in favor of adult learning and training are supported by 29% of the adults in Bulgaria, who stated that they lack some general professional skills, which is above the EU average of 22%. In addition, 31% of adults in Bulgaria state that they lack some general technical professional skills, which is also higher than the EU average of 28%.
Adults in Bulgaria have a positive attitude towards learning and training. More than 90% say that training brings real benefits and helps in job search, career advancement, and better pay. In addition, 83% believe that it reduces unemployment.
Opinions about the quality of adult education in Bulgaria differ. About 64% of adults generally consider it to be good or relatively good, compared to 69% in the EU. At the same time, 96% of adults who participated in organized training and qualification in the previous year rated it as good or relatively good, compared to 93% in the EU. About 72% of adults in the EU agree that there are many learning and training opportunities in their country, compared to 66% in Bulgaria.
The survey shows that in the previous 12 months, 30% of adults in Bulgaria sought information on learning and learning opportunities, compared to 40% in the EU. About 66% of adults in Bulgaria say that information is easy to find, which is the same as the EU average. In 22 of the 30 European countries included in the study, the main reason why adults do not participate in learning or training is that they do not have such a need. In Bulgaria, the most important reason, pointed out by 34% of adults, is the difficulty in combining training with other commitments. About 64% of adults in Bulgaria strongly support measures to provide financial assistance to encourage adults to participate in learning and training, compared to 56% across the EU. About 62% also strongly support the recognition and certification of adult learning, which is above the EU average of 54%. In addition, 53% firmly believe that better information and guidance would increase participation compared. The EU is trying to increase adult participation in learning and training, and although it has risen to around 11%, it remains below the 15% target across Europe by 2020. Many Member States have not achieved this target, including Bulgaria, where the participation is about 2.5%.
The survey clearly shows that the lack of participation is not because adults in Bulgaria have a negative attitude. Given that 86% say they need to upgrade their skills to be able to do their job, the survey provides a basis for looking at adult learning and training as an investment priority and considering ways to encourage more adults to learn.
* The second survey of Cedefop's opinion, published in 2020, gives an idea of what Europeans think about adult learning and vocational education and training. The survey was conducted between May and July 2019 and consists of 40,466 telephone interviews with people over the age of 25 living in the EU, Iceland, and Norway.
