A comprehensive strategy for the development of human capital in our country is needed, pointed out the Deputy Rector for International Activities and Integration of TU - Sofia
The labor market is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by innovation, globalization and the new needs and expectations of business. Today, more than ever, the creation of sustainable, flexible and inspiring careers has become a key priority for employers.
The special edition of Bulgaria ON AIR "The Future: The Labor Market and the Euro" focuses on successful careers and the role of employers in the professional development of employees. The edition is dedicated to companies that not only successfully adapt to the latest trends in HR industry, but also actively attract young talents by building a sustainable and strong employer brand.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova is one of the speakers in the discussion "The Future: The Labor Market and the Euro," which will be broadcast on October 6, Monday, at 19:15 on the airwaves, website, and social media of Bulgaria ON AIR. In an interview with Investor.bg, Prof. Galabova shares her views on hot topics regarding the Bulgarian labor market.- Prof. Galabova, the chronic shortage of personnel in Bulgaria continues to be a major problem for businesses. In which sectors is the shortage the greatest?
- From the perspective of the specialties we teach, a noticeable shortage of qualified personnel is observed in many engineering professions such as electronics, production automation, mechanical engineering, cybersecurity, etc.
- There are numerous reasons for the personnel deficit in Bulgaria - demographic, educational, motivational, and market-related. What are the solutions to the loss of human capital in our country? To what extent can the policy of importing personnel from third countries solve the problem?
- Unfortunately, the loss of human capital is one of the most serious challenges for the Bulgarian industry and economy. Over the past decades, our country has lost about two million of its citizens aged between 20 and 50. A large portion of these people received their education in Bulgaria, but unfortunately, they find employment abroad. Attracting highly qualified personnel from abroad is only one of the measures that would help partially solve the problem, but by itself, it would not be sufficient.
A comprehensive strategy for the development of human capital is needed, which should be linked with other key strategies, such as the education development strategy and the National Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization. In my opinion, we need to find solutions to the problems that have led many young people to choose to work abroad. It is evident that the ecosystem and social environment in Bulgaria are not attractive enough. For a long time, knowledge, efforts, and competencies in Bulgaria were undervalued. Combined with various social problems, this inevitably led to the personnel crisis we are witnessing today.
- What are the most sought-after professions and specialists in Bulgaria at the moment and in the near future?
- With regard to the field in which the Technical University – Sofia trains, among the most sought-after are all computer specialties, electronics, mechanical engineering, but also energy and, in particular, nuclear energy.
The latest trends in technological development have naturally increased interest in various modern specialties such as Cybersecurity, Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Data Analysis, Automotive Electronics, Intelligent Systems in Industry, City and Home, Aerospace Engineering, etc.
It is important to note the fact that specialties such as Cybersecurity and Intelligent Systems find application in almost all areas of industry. Nevertheless, classical engineering specialties such as nuclear energy, thermal energy, electronics, mechanical engineering and others also provide excellent opportunities for realization. For example, graduates of nuclear energy have guaranteed employment and excellent pay for the next 30-40 years.
- Where are the shortages in the educational system in the preparation of personnel?
- The question is that, in addition to knowledge and skills, certain qualities need to be cultivated and developed in young people, which are currently lacking in a large part of them. They are primarily related to the attitude towards work and education, the understanding that success requires effort and persistence, respect for other members of society, and the understanding that life often brings surprises for which they must be prepared. Skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, flexibility, responsibility, and teamwork need to be developed.
- What is important to employers nowadays from the perspective of personnel training?
- As early as 1961, the economist Theodore Schultz established that when technological development outpaces the accumulation of new knowledge and the acquisition of new skills, they become limiting factors for achieving economic development and growth. This means that when a less developed economy invests only in new technologies and equipment, while neglecting education and the development of new skills in people, it is unable to achieve the expected economic growth.
Technological development is currently experiencing another qualitative leap, which will lead to a rethinking and change in the way we work. Therefore, a large part of employers are looking for personnel who have a connection to work and a desire to cope with difficulties. About ten years ago, we conducted a study on human capital among employers from three different EU member states. One of the very interesting results was that for many of them, the potential for development and the desire for education are much more important than diplomas.
- Where is the link between demand and supply in the labor market in our country broken?
- The link was broken many years ago. The underestimation and low levels of wages forced many young, well-trained people to seek opportunities abroad. Most of them are highly valued and preferred in many economically developed countries around the world.
Another, no less important, factor is related to the social environment and the prospects for development and the opportunities for a balance between work and personal life. Recently, thanks to systematic work aimed at developing links with business at TU-Sofia, dozens of laboratories funded by various national and international companies have been created. Joint training programs have been established. There is increased interest in the annually held forums "Career Days" and "Internships." There, students meet their future employers, and they are looking for the best and most suitable personnel.
A serious change in the overall ecosystem is needed. Wage levels are only one of the factors for retaining personnel in our country.
- For about half of the students trained in vocational high schools in Bulgaria, there is no adequate market demand for their qualifications. This is shown by a study by the Institute for Market Economics (IME), which analyzes the extent to which vocational education in Bulgaria meets the needs of the labor market. Do you share this statement?
- I am rather not in agreement with such statements, but this is a personal opinion. It strikes me that many employers face huge difficulties in finding professionally prepared personnel. From the university's point of view, those who have completed vocational education are usually very well prepared and are excellent students.
- Expectations are that artificial intelligence will replace a large part of automated processes and transform the labor market worldwide. Is this trend also felt in Bulgaria, and in which sectors?
- Artificial intelligence is one of the modern tools that allows for rapid processing and analysis of large data sets. It can be useful if used correctly, but conversely, it can lead to undesirable and unexpected consequences in cases of improper use.
This is precisely the role of TU – Sofia as an educational institution. Our task is to train students in modern technologies so that they are prepared in accordance with the dynamically changing requirements of the labor market. At the same time, they must develop the knowledge and skills to adequately assess the situation and know when and how to use a given tool – in this case, artificial intelligence. It will obviously find application in all sectors where rapid processing and analysis of large data sets are required.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova has been teaching at the Technical University – Sofia since 2003 in the disciplines of Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Industrial Management, and Knowledge Management. In the period 2010 – 2012, she worked at Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom, as a postdoctoral researcher with a Marie Curie fellowship (a prestigious individual EU grant). She has specialized in Finland, the USA, and the United Kingdom. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, Tyrol, Austria. Her scientific interests are in the field of intellectual capital, technological entrepreneurship, innovation management, and the circular economy. Since 2024, she has been the Deputy Rector for International Activities and Integration.
investor.bg
The labor market is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by innovation, globalization and the new needs and expectations of business. Today, more than ever, the creation of sustainable, flexible and inspiring careers has become a key priority for employers.
The special edition of Bulgaria ON AIR "The Future: The Labor Market and the Euro" focuses on successful careers and the role of employers in the professional development of employees. The edition is dedicated to companies that not only successfully adapt to the latest trends in HR industry, but also actively attract young talents by building a sustainable and strong employer brand.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova is one of the speakers in the discussion "The Future: The Labor Market and the Euro," which will be broadcast on October 6, Monday, at 19:15 on the airwaves, website, and social media of Bulgaria ON AIR. In an interview with Investor.bg, Prof. Galabova shares her views on hot topics regarding the Bulgarian labor market.- Prof. Galabova, the chronic shortage of personnel in Bulgaria continues to be a major problem for businesses. In which sectors is the shortage the greatest?
- From the perspective of the specialties we teach, a noticeable shortage of qualified personnel is observed in many engineering professions such as electronics, production automation, mechanical engineering, cybersecurity, etc.
- There are numerous reasons for the personnel deficit in Bulgaria - demographic, educational, motivational, and market-related. What are the solutions to the loss of human capital in our country? To what extent can the policy of importing personnel from third countries solve the problem?
- Unfortunately, the loss of human capital is one of the most serious challenges for the Bulgarian industry and economy. Over the past decades, our country has lost about two million of its citizens aged between 20 and 50. A large portion of these people received their education in Bulgaria, but unfortunately, they find employment abroad. Attracting highly qualified personnel from abroad is only one of the measures that would help partially solve the problem, but by itself, it would not be sufficient.
A comprehensive strategy for the development of human capital is needed, which should be linked with other key strategies, such as the education development strategy and the National Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization. In my opinion, we need to find solutions to the problems that have led many young people to choose to work abroad. It is evident that the ecosystem and social environment in Bulgaria are not attractive enough. For a long time, knowledge, efforts, and competencies in Bulgaria were undervalued. Combined with various social problems, this inevitably led to the personnel crisis we are witnessing today.
- What are the most sought-after professions and specialists in Bulgaria at the moment and in the near future?
- With regard to the field in which the Technical University – Sofia trains, among the most sought-after are all computer specialties, electronics, mechanical engineering, but also energy and, in particular, nuclear energy.
The latest trends in technological development have naturally increased interest in various modern specialties such as Cybersecurity, Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence, Mechatronics, Data Analysis, Automotive Electronics, Intelligent Systems in Industry, City and Home, Aerospace Engineering, etc.
It is important to note the fact that specialties such as Cybersecurity and Intelligent Systems find application in almost all areas of industry. Nevertheless, classical engineering specialties such as nuclear energy, thermal energy, electronics, mechanical engineering and others also provide excellent opportunities for realization. For example, graduates of nuclear energy have guaranteed employment and excellent pay for the next 30-40 years.
- Where are the shortages in the educational system in the preparation of personnel?
- The question is that, in addition to knowledge and skills, certain qualities need to be cultivated and developed in young people, which are currently lacking in a large part of them. They are primarily related to the attitude towards work and education, the understanding that success requires effort and persistence, respect for other members of society, and the understanding that life often brings surprises for which they must be prepared. Skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, flexibility, responsibility, and teamwork need to be developed.
- What is important to employers nowadays from the perspective of personnel training?
- As early as 1961, the economist Theodore Schultz established that when technological development outpaces the accumulation of new knowledge and the acquisition of new skills, they become limiting factors for achieving economic development and growth. This means that when a less developed economy invests only in new technologies and equipment, while neglecting education and the development of new skills in people, it is unable to achieve the expected economic growth.
Technological development is currently experiencing another qualitative leap, which will lead to a rethinking and change in the way we work. Therefore, a large part of employers are looking for personnel who have a connection to work and a desire to cope with difficulties. About ten years ago, we conducted a study on human capital among employers from three different EU member states. One of the very interesting results was that for many of them, the potential for development and the desire for education are much more important than diplomas.
- Where is the link between demand and supply in the labor market in our country broken?
- The link was broken many years ago. The underestimation and low levels of wages forced many young, well-trained people to seek opportunities abroad. Most of them are highly valued and preferred in many economically developed countries around the world.
Another, no less important, factor is related to the social environment and the prospects for development and the opportunities for a balance between work and personal life. Recently, thanks to systematic work aimed at developing links with business at TU-Sofia, dozens of laboratories funded by various national and international companies have been created. Joint training programs have been established. There is increased interest in the annually held forums "Career Days" and "Internships." There, students meet their future employers, and they are looking for the best and most suitable personnel.
A serious change in the overall ecosystem is needed. Wage levels are only one of the factors for retaining personnel in our country.
- For about half of the students trained in vocational high schools in Bulgaria, there is no adequate market demand for their qualifications. This is shown by a study by the Institute for Market Economics (IME), which analyzes the extent to which vocational education in Bulgaria meets the needs of the labor market. Do you share this statement?
- I am rather not in agreement with such statements, but this is a personal opinion. It strikes me that many employers face huge difficulties in finding professionally prepared personnel. From the university's point of view, those who have completed vocational education are usually very well prepared and are excellent students.
- Expectations are that artificial intelligence will replace a large part of automated processes and transform the labor market worldwide. Is this trend also felt in Bulgaria, and in which sectors?
- Artificial intelligence is one of the modern tools that allows for rapid processing and analysis of large data sets. It can be useful if used correctly, but conversely, it can lead to undesirable and unexpected consequences in cases of improper use.
This is precisely the role of TU – Sofia as an educational institution. Our task is to train students in modern technologies so that they are prepared in accordance with the dynamically changing requirements of the labor market. At the same time, they must develop the knowledge and skills to adequately assess the situation and know when and how to use a given tool – in this case, artificial intelligence. It will obviously find application in all sectors where rapid processing and analysis of large data sets are required.
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova
Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova has been teaching at the Technical University – Sofia since 2003 in the disciplines of Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Industrial Management, and Knowledge Management. In the period 2010 – 2012, she worked at Glasgow Caledonian University, United Kingdom, as a postdoctoral researcher with a Marie Curie fellowship (a prestigious individual EU grant). She has specialized in Finland, the USA, and the United Kingdom. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, Tyrol, Austria. Her scientific interests are in the field of intellectual capital, technological entrepreneurship, innovation management, and the circular economy. Since 2024, she has been the Deputy Rector for International Activities and Integration.
investor.bg
