MODERN SKILLS AND CONVERGENT ENVIRONMENT - SWOT ANALYSIS, TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING. A BULGARIAN EXPERIENCE

The paper considers the alternative to the modern vocational education and training, continuing throughout life. The aim of the study is to use SWOT analysis as one of the most effective tools for the modern management of organizations and processes. It is effective for systematically analyzing environmental management; for strategic results-oriented planning; for organizational balance and value added; to identify external and internal factors, trends, threats and opportunities for full development of the system of vocational continuing education in Bulgaria, especially in the field of cultural and creative industries. The main research tasks include terminological analysis and literature review on topical issues; to study the situation with the SWOT analysis tools; issuing recommendations for future development. In this regard, the research hypothesis argues that the SWOT analysis can make a qualitative assessment and achieve better planning and market efficiency of the system of continuing vocational education and training, as well as effective communication with all actors in this fast-moving, modern educational service for the benefit of the business and the public sector. A methodology related to the SWOT analysis tools is applied; content analysis of concepts and official documents on thematic issues; analytical bibliographic study; methods of analysis and synthesis; monitoring methods. As a result of our research, the barriers and opportunities for developing a sustainable system of continuing vocational education and training in the country are established. Summarized recommendations and conclusions are provided.