Article Gold Open Access 2026

Skills Ecosystem and the Role of School Management for Sustainable Development of Dual Education

Societies
Journal · Vol. 16 · Issue 1 · Art. 20
Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the mechanisms used by a vocational high school in Bulgaria to develop dual training and implement it sustainably. It focuses on the school management’s leadership role in the network of different stakeholders, demonstrating the importance of this aspect in the entire process of developing dual education. Apart from the case analysis of the Bulgarian vocational high school’s successful implementation of dual learning, the research strategy includes examining regulatory documents, evaluation reports and publications in media and by companies, as well as analyzing the attitudes among key stakeholders. An overview of the challenges facing dual education in Bulgaria is also provided. Based on the case study findings, the factors supporting the implementation and sustainability of the dual system have been identified. We conclude that the long-term development of the dual education model depends on the understanding that the formation of professional skills is a dynamic process, requiring attention to the needs of the local environment, adaptability to current changes and active participation by all stakeholders. The role of school leadership—with regard to both its motivation and activity—has proven to be essential, and therefore it should not be overlooked when creating state incentives to support dual training. © 2026 by the authors.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Skills ecosystem Vocational education Sustainability dual training Bulgaria educational leadership

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
Funding & Acknowledgements
Ministry of Education and Science, MES
Funding text 1: The high school provides free transportation, facilitating access to education for students from vulnerable groups, and offers opportunities for additional licensing through driving courses for various vehicles. The school has participated in numerous projects, funded by the Ministry of Education and Science and the European Social Fund, which aim to improve the learning environment and increase staff qualifications. Participation in the Erasmus+ program allows for the exchange of experience and practices in other countries, providing real opportunities for improving the quality of education.; Funding text 2: Based on the experience of Switzerland, Germany and Austria, it is expected that learners will gain quality theoretical and practical training, transversal skills for their personal and professional improvement, the possibility of securing a job after graduation and career guidance on choosing to continue their education. Over the last ten years, the Bulgarian state has aimed to develop dual education through creating an appropriate regulatory framework and financial support. The dual education system in Bulgaria was supported by the DOMINO project\u2014\u201CDual Education for the Modern Needs & Requirements of Society\u201D (2015\u20132019). It was funded by the Swiss Confederation under the Bulgarian\u2013Swiss Cooperation Program and implemented jointly with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of Economy. The pilot project provided initial funding for the first dual classes and developed new curricula and programs, created a practical guide for dual education and trained teachers and mentors.; Funding text 3: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Skills2Capabilities project (2023\u20132025), which is funded by the European Union\u2019s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 101094758.
Grant: 101094758
Funding text 1: The high school provides free transportation, facilitating access to education for students from vulnerable groups, and offers opportunities for additional licensing through driving courses for various vehicles. The school has participated in numerous projects, funded by the Ministry of Education and Science and the European Social Fund, which aim to improve the learning environment and increase staff qualifications. Participation in the Erasmus+ program allows for the exchange of experience and practices in other countries, providing real opportunities for improving the quality of education.; Funding text 2: Based on the experience of Switzerland, Germany and Austria, it is expected that learners will gain quality theoretical and practical training, transversal skills for their personal and professional improvement, the possibility of securing a job after graduation and career guidance on choosing to continue their education. Over the last ten years, the Bulgarian state has aimed to develop dual education through creating an appropriate regulatory framework and financial support. The dual education system in Bulgaria was supported by the DOMINO project\u2014\u201CDual Education for the Modern Needs & Requirements of Society\u201D (2015\u20132019). It was funded by the Swiss Confederation under the Bulgarian\u2013Swiss Cooperation Program and implemented jointly with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Ministry of Economy. The pilot project provided initial funding for the first dual classes and developed new curricula and programs, created a practical guide for dual education and trained teachers and mentors.; Funding text 3: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Skills2Capabilities project (2023\u20132025), which is funded by the European Union\u2019s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 101094758.
References 10 References
1 Building Future Ready Vocational Education and Training Systems, (2023)
2 Methodology for Implementing the Swiss Dual Education Model in the Bulgarian Vocational Education System Publisher Project Domino, (2022)
3 Dual Education Practical Guidelines Bulgarian Swiss Cooperation Program, (2019)
4 Future of Vocational Education and Training in Europe 50 Dimensions of Vocational Education and Training Cedefops Analytical Framework for Comparing Vet, (2023)
5 Gessler, Michael, The lack of collaboration between companies and schools in the German dual apprenticeship system: Historical background and recent data, International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 4, 2, pp. 164-195, (2017)
6 Good for Youth Good for Businesseuropean Alliance for Apprenticeships Directorate General for Employment Social Affairs and Inclusion, (2015)
7 A New Skills Agenda for Europe Working Together to Strengthen Human Capital Employability and Competitiveness Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Com 2016 381 Final European Commission Brussels Belgium 2016
8 Šćepanović, Vera, Dual training in Europe: a policy fad or a policy turn?, Transfer, 26, 1, pp. 15-26, (2020)
9 State Gazette no 79 13 October 2015 in Force as of 1 August 2016, (2015)
10 undefined
Quick Actions
Full Text via DOI
Citation Metrics
0
Times Cited (Scopus)

References 10
Document Identifiers