From May 25, 2026, to May 30, 2026, a group of 12 educators and specialists from the Vocational High School of Technology and Light Industry in Popovo took part in an educational mobility program in Maribor, Slovenia, under the “Erasmus+” program. The activity was carried out in partnership with the International Institute for the Implementation of Sustainable Development (MIITR) as part of Project No. 2025-1-BG01 -KA121-VET-000312696, implemented under Accreditation No. 2022-1-BG01-KA120-VET-000107341.
The main objective of the mobility was to exchange best practices, enhance the professional competencies of teaching staff, and familiarize participants with successful European models in the field of vocational education and training.
During the training program, participants learned about the activities of the partner organization MIITR, the characteristics of the Slovenian education system, and current trends in the development of vocational education in Europe. As part of the mobility program, meetings were held with representatives of educational institutions, school administrators, teachers, and experts, who presented best practices in organizing the learning process, practical training, and collaboration with the business sector.
The teachers visited vocational schools and companies where students complete their practical training, as well as the IZUM supercomputing center, where they learned about cutting-edge technological solutions and their potential applications in education. Special emphasis was placed on innovative teaching methods, the digitization of the educational process, work-based learning (WBL), and the alignment between the knowledge and skills acquired in school and the requirements of the modern labor market.
As part of the mobility program, meetings were also organized with representatives of the professional community, during which employers’ expectations of future professionals, the necessary professional competencies, and opportunities for developing more effective cooperation between educational institutions and the business sector were discussed.
Particular attention was also paid to European practices related to sustainable development, recycling, environmental protection, and the promotion of environmentally responsible behavior in vocational education.
In addition to the rich educational program, participants had the opportunity to explore the region’s cultural and historical heritage through visits to the cities of Maribor, Ptuj, and Ljubljana in Slovenia, as well as Graz in Austria. These cultural activities contributed to a deeper understanding of European traditions and fostered intercultural exchange among the participants.
The mobility program concluded successfully, with all participants returning home with new knowledge, practical experience, valuable professional contacts, and ideas for implementing innovative approaches in the learning process.
*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.