Florian Fichtl’s speech at Vocational Education and Training in Bulgaria Workshop
Thank you Deputy Prime Minister Vatchev,
distinguished colleagues,
I will limit my contribution to a few key messages:
• The World Bank is supporting the Government’s efforts to improve the quality and relevance of education. Better education is key to the competitiveness of Bulgaria’s economy and therefore to the living standards of every single Bulgarian.
• We are delighted to bring best international and European practice to the discussion – as we do today. It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Alejandro Tiana, former Deputy Minister of Education (pls. insert current and relevant previous credentials) and Mr. Juan Moreno, Senior Education Specialist, who have joined our team that is known to you.
• Today’s discussions focus on Vocational Education and Training (VET), which is an important item on Bulgaria’s reform agenda for the education sector. Raising the productivity of Bulgaria’s economy, i.e. the public and the private sector that make out the economy, is largely based on strengthening the skills base. Raising the productivity of labor is absolutely essential for raising salaries, and for the rapid convergence of living standards that we all support.
• I am convinced that today’s discussions, and the actions that eventually will emerge from these and future deliberations, are helping Bulgaria come closer to the ambitious, necessary targets of the European Union’s Lisbon agenda. Indeed, Bulgaria is not alone, education sector reforms are under way in many EU member countries.
• Let me close by thanking the Deputy Prime Minister for giving us the opportunity to work with him, and the stakeholders sitting around the table, in support of better Education in Bulgaria.
Thank you!
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