BULGARIA

NRCVG Bulgaria

Objectives

The centres' role is to answer questions from vocational advisors - and through this indirectly the questions of young people - about opportunities for studying, vocational training or finding a job both at home and abroad.

The centres are organised into a network and exchange information via a variety of channels, including documents, telephone, email and fax. These give partners access to national databases and support many innovative activities in the areas of education, vocational training and work experience. In Europe (at present about 50 centres) they work on the basis of a contract with, or as a part of, the Leonardo da Vinci Programme's national co-ordination units.

Activities

The NRCVG's objective is to contribute to the development of advisory practice in Bulgaria and improve the quality of information on vocational training and guidance in the European Union countries.

The NRCVG's main activities include:

• Connection of existing databases and extension of information exchange between participating countries;

• Increasing in the involvement of enterprises and social partners in vocational guidance activities

• Transnational co-operation in improving vocational guidance systems

• Implementation of transnational projects aimed at preparing vocational advisors and development of the European dimension in vocational guidance.

Since October 1999 the NRCVG participates as partner in the Estia project. ESTIA started as a 3-year pilot project within the framework of the "Leonardo da Vinci" programme and this year was multiplied for the pre-accession countries. The project aims to facilitate mobility within Europe by:

• increasing the availability of current and suitable information about education, work and the labour market in Europe

• increasing the opportunities for guidance counsellors and other experts to build their own networks

• increasing the competence of guidance counsellors and other experts in the use of IT for guidance

• increasing the intercultural skills of guidance counsellors and other experts.