Abstract:

The report explores the modern vocational education as an alternative education for all participants in the Bulgarian labour market, focused mostly on the cultural and creative industries. The problem that concerns with large groups of the population is the lack of qualification. This is the main point of building our hypothesis – our strategic approach and tool are for a virtual environment to be created for vocational education with the means of a concrete vision and model. We have a shortage of qualified workforce and at the same time – high percentage of unemployment. This paradox requires some innovative solutions. One of them is the hybrid professional training that can integrate the practice of formal and informal learning, as well as the distance education and dual training. The hybrid train allows training students with different entrance levels in the educational process. The main objectives of the present study are to identify the best methods and practices that are compatible with the Bulgarian environment that could be applied in the training of learners in various certified professions at the Centre for Vocational Training (CVT) at ULSIT in Sofia. Supporting the permanent vocational education offered by ULSIT's CVT, established the special science project “Communicational Model for Interactive Educational Environment for Post-graduate Professional and Vocational Studies in the Field of Cultural and Creative Industries “, approved and financed by the National Science Fund (NSF) of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), Bulgaria. It enables the implementation of a flexible communication model with interactive forms of vocational training. The review of the literature on this topic has revealed many interesting strategies, concepts and practices, some of which we consider to be appropriate for exploration and integration in our Communication model. The methodology of the study includes: content analysis of concepts, models and official documents on the subject; Bibliographic selection of publications on the topics of the study; Methodological observation of reference groups of adults trained by professional librarians. The expected results are to build in a new educational environment for education and validation of knowledge under the National Agency (NAVET) (librarian, graphic designer, marketing assistant, computer operator, Internet applications organizer and other). As a result of our research, we have clarified the possibilities of creating educational content on: information competence; management and marketing competence; regulatory competence; linguistic and communication competence; competence for communication, lobbying and advocacy; acquisition of specific theoretical and practical knowledge of the profession. Due to the different level of training, all these interdisciplinary knowledge and skills are acquired through specific training techniques such as case study, learning by experience; learning by doing; role-playing games, brainstorming and more. The foundation of the project is developing the virtual environment based on the open knowledge platform ILIAS 4.1, which offers flexible course management and personal workspace for learners. The discussion is shared by the experience of CVT to what may be called a “traveling academy”. The conclusion summarizes the policy approaches that need to be implemented for the development of sustainable double hybrid vocational training. The references include 60 bibliographic resources.

Keywords:

Communicational model for interactive educational environment, dual vocational education, modern competencies, validation of knowledge and competencies