For two days (15-16 March), young people looking for suitable universities and development opportunities had the chance to get acquainted with a number of education programs, internships and work positions at the Education beyond Borders Exhibition and the specialized "Education and Career" forum, which took place at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. More than 70 schools, universities, academies, institutions, companies, employers and organizations from around the world took part in it, with representatives from Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Oman participating for the first time. Visitors also met representatives of the German Employment Agency, who offered paid internships and free courses in German language.

“We often talk about the mismatch between supply and demand on the labor market and we have the problem of unemployed graduates. On the other hand, employers have been alarming about staff shortages. This forum gives a strong positive example,” said Vice President Iliana Yotova said at the opening of the event and congratulated organizers and participants in the exhibition on the working formula they found – bringing education and business together and re-establishing the link between secondary education, higher education and career start. "There are over 300,000 young people in Bulgaria who are neither studying, nor looking for a job or career," Vice-President Yotova said and added:

“Unfortunately, In Bulgaria we do not even have a system to help children in primary school dream about their future profession. We do not have a well-developed program so that young people can have equal start. Children from big cities where schools are better and children from smaller towns and villages do not have equal opportunities. We need to find a solution to this inequality, because there are many intelligent children who cannot progress because of this obstacle.”

According to Mrs. Yotova, young people with disabilities and specific needs also face unique difficulties. For these children, individual training is needed in secondary education, as well as support for choosing a profession and higher education. Job creation is also needed in order to use the huge potential of these young people. That is why she has called for organizing a special forum aimed at these people and their careers.

One of the main problems in Bulgaria is keeping young people from leaving the country. Therefore, according to the vice-president, the education system and employers should guarantee young people successful careers in Bulgaria. According to Zornitsa Andreeva, manager of the company organizing the event, the desire among young Bulgarians to leave the country has been declining:

“Our data shows that half of the visitors are interested in studying abroad and the other half wants to study and work in Bulgaria. This ratio is good given the fact that in previous years the percentage of those wishing to stay in the country was much lower. This year the presence of Bulgarian educational institutions is much stronger, which has been very pleasing to us.”

11^th graders Iva Naydenova, Joanna Parvanova and Dafina Korabova want to continue their studies abroad because they see more opportunities there:

“I have always been attracted to physics and mathematics, and I hope this is my professional career. But if there is a way I can get to Bulgaria, I'd rather go back," Iva says. Dafina and Joanna want to study design. “If I get into a good university and have the opportunity to start work right away, I think I would stay there," Dafina said.

And as Vice President of Bulgaria Mrs. Iliyana Yotova said: “Institutions, universities and the society are the ones to act now if they wanted young people to stay in Bulgaria.”

English: Alexander Markov