The DOMINO 2 Program for the integration and development of Dual Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Bulgaria has officially been launched, marking an important step toward strengthening the link between education and the labor market. Building on the achievements of DOMINO 1, the new phase further reinforces the proven benefits of dual education as a driver for economic development, competitiveness, and quality employment.
During the official launch, the Minister of Education and Science, Mr. Krasimir Valchev, underlined the strategic importance of the program, emphasizing that Swiss funding plays a crucial role in enabling policy change and modernizing existing educational models in Bulgaria. He noted that the support provided through DOMINO 2 will help motivate a growing number of educational institutions, employers, and students to engage in dual forms of learning, contributing to a more responsive and effective vocational education system.
H.E. Pierre Hagmann, Ambassador-Designate of Switzerland to Bulgaria, highlighted the strong bilateral partnership between Switzerland and Bulgaria and Switzerland’s long-standing commitment to supporting vocational education reform in the country since the launch of DOMINO 1 in 2014. He stressed that DOMINO 2 represents more than an education initiative, stating that the program is an investment in Bulgaria’s long-term policies for social inclusion, competitiveness, and sustainable growth.
DOMINO 2: A Strategic Investment in Skills and Growth
With a total budget of nearly 6 million Swiss francs, DOMINO 2 is designed as a comprehensive and strategic effort aimed at strengthening Bulgaria’s vocational education ecosystem. The program focuses on:
• Establishing sustainable national, regional, and local partnerships among key VET stakeholders;
• Integrating robust quality assurance mechanisms across the VET system;
• Piloting active involvement of vulnerable groups through targeted career orientation and support measures.
The program is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science in close partnership with leading Swiss institutions, including the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training (EHB HEFP SUFFP SFUVET), the CES Chair of Education Systems at ETH Zürich, and CFPS Le Repuis. Their expertise ensures the transfer of best international practices and supports the long-term sustainability of reforms.
The Role of BSCC
Within DOMINO 2, the Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) will perform the role of an intermediary body, coordinating activities related to dual education and facilitating dialogue and cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and public authorities. Through this role, BSCC will continue to actively support the alignment of vocational education with labor market needs and the development of a skilled and competitive workforce.
DOMINO 2 represents a shared commitment to investing in people, skills, and sustainable economic growth. The Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce looks forward to contributing to the successful implementation of the program and to further strengthening cooperation between Bulgaria and Switzerland in the field of vocational education and training.