Bulgaria’s new ordinance creates a consistent, EU-aligned quality-assurance system for vocational colleges and vocational training centres (VTCs). Each provider must operate an internal cycle comprising regular self-evaluation, an annual report and a corrective improvement plan. A quality assurance commission—appointed by the institution head—coordinates these processes and may involve external experts to reinforce methodological rigor and links to practice.
The framework delegates responsibilities to a quality assurance commission appointed by the head of the institution. It can also include external experts with specialised knowledge in specific fields ensuring interaction with other skilled professionals. It mandates systematic feedback from learners, employers and trainers, targeted staff development, and internal monitoring of outcomes. External oversight is differentiated: the Ministry of Education and Science supervises vocational colleges; the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET) oversees VTCs.
Progress is tracked through indicators covering promotion of VET programmes; equitable access for vulnerable groups and early leavers; provision for high-demand regional professions; cooperation with social partners at local and regional level; and employer satisfaction. Institutions must evidence co-designed curricula with social partners and regularly survey employers on graduates’ knowledge, skills and competences, including work-readiness.
Overall, the ordinance operationalises continuous improvement, strengthens stakeholder engagement and links outcomes to state educational standards for qualifications. The intended impact is higher training quality, clearer accountability and graduates whose competences match evolving labour-market needs.
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- Ordinance No 3 of 3 June 2025 on quality assurance in vocational colleges and vocational training centres (in Bulgarian)
| Please cite this news item as: ReferNet Bulgaria, & Cedefop (2025, October 14). Bulgaria: VET quality ordinance. National news on VET. |