PROGRESSING PROMISING SKILLS TO WORK IN BULGARIA (PROSKILLS2WORK)

The main goal of ProSkills2Work is to raise the international research visibility of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (IPS) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and to develop its traditionally strong focus on sociology of education and work towards a world-class level of research excellence.

This will be achieved by advancing scientific knowledge on the Bulgarian vocational skills formation system, continuous skills enhancement, individual transitions from education to work, and workplace learning, alongside the respective methodological challenges.

The project's research component will advance scientific knowledge by further developing sociological concepts which allow for analysing the complex relationship of education and work in the current societal and economic context of Bulgaria. Five specific objectives will guide the implementation of ProSkills2Work: 1) Appointment of Prof.

Dr.

Christian Imdorf to establish and lead the ERA Chair research unit; 2) Develop the research and innovation capacity of the IPS towards international excellence; 3) Ensure the constant development of various skill sets and competencies among IPS researchers; 4) Implement structural changes to create the conditions to achieve research excellence on a sustainable basis; 5) Position the IPS as a hub for scientific excellence and policy-relevant stakeholder exchange on progressing promising skills to work through the institutionalisation of a future Bulgarian Observatory of Education and Work.

The increase of research capacity at IPS by the ERA Chair unit is expected to promote collaborations between research teams in the IPS and external research groups, as well as translating research results into policy recommendations and innovative models of vocational skills formation in Bulgaria and the Western Balkans.

Importantly, this agrees with the recent European Union (EU) and social partners commitment and upcoming action plan to address labour and skills shortages in Bulgaria.