The main providers of formal and non-formal education in Bulgaria, on the one hand, are public educational institutions in the formal educational system: general educational schools, vocational schools, schools at the places of imprisonment, special schools - educational boarding schools and social-pedagogical boarding schools, combined schools, secondary schools, specialized high schools, evening schools and special schools - for training and support of students with sensory disabilities, vocational colleges, universities, state Vocational training centers (VTC) and on the other hand, private vocational training centers, language schools and schools for computer literacy, employers’ organizations, trade unions (organizations of workers and employees), non-governmental organizations and enterprises that have their own training centers.

Training for acquiring professional qualification may be carried out by ministries, municipalities and general hospitals. Professional knowledge, skills and competencies can also be acquired through non-formal training and informal learning and can be validated by vocational schools, vocational high schools, art schools, sports schools, vocational colleges, vocational training centers.

Licensed Vocational Training Centres (CPOs)

The centres for vocational training are state, municipal or private, Bulgarian with foreign participation and foreign. The state and municipal centres shall be established by the corporate bodies which were issued a license for carrying out vocational training or professional orientation from The National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET). The private centres are established by the sole entrepreneurs or corporate bodies established as trade companies, co-operatives, associations and foundations with issued license for carrying out vocational training or professional orientation from NAVET.

The centres for vocational training carry out vocational training of persons who have accomplished 16 years by professions specified in the license. VTCs are authorized to issue vocational training certificates at the level of 1 to 3 degree of professional qualification, in the same way as vocational schools and colleges in the formal system.

A glance at the register of licensed CPOs shows that they are sponsored or run by legal entities in all sections of society. These include many small or micro enterprises providing vocational training either as their main or an additional business activity. Other operators of licensed CPOs are voluntary associations and NGOs, such as the Central Association of Cooperatives, a Jewish organization, the Confederation of Trade Unions KNSB, various Znánie associations, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce. Most of the licenses issued to date relate to construction, engineering, catering and tourism, office work and craft trades.

According to NAVET data to 31 July 2020 there are 963 licensed and registered VTCs.

The Bulgarian-German Vocational Training Centre State Enterprise (DBBZ) was established in July 2011 with amendment to the Employment Encouragement Act. The DBBZ State Enterprise main activities involve: providing vocational training of unemployed and the employed over the age of 16 with acquiring a vocational qualification degree or qualification in a part of a profession, key competences training and vocational guidance. DBBZ State Enterprise is licensed by the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET) to provide training in more than 100 professions.

The DBBZ State Enterprise is a pilot for the system of vocational training of adults training institution for transfer of good practices and innovations in the field of quality of education, the attractiveness of the learning process with adults, the connection of training with business and the emphasis on practice. Through its participation in projects, the DBBZ State Enterprise strives to test innovative practices in the field of vocational training in order to subsequently apply them in the system of vocational training of adults. Under the Two-Year Training Plan conducted by the DBBZ State Enterprise in 2021, 2,800 people from different disadvantaged groups will be trained

Employers' organizations

Training through work (dual system of training) is a specific form of training for acquisition of professional qualification organized on the basis of partnership, including on the basis of a contract between one or more employers and an institution in the system of vocational education and training, with the exception of information and vocational guidance centers, or a secondary school, a specialized high school or a religious school when providing vocational training. Training through work (dual training system) include: practical training in a real work environment, and training in the respective institution. 

In-service training plans are far more common among enterprises in the public sector and major companies than in private businesses and micro enterprises. Some employers' organizations have active centers for vocational training and advanced training.

Trade Unions

Trade unions are set up primarily to protect the rights of employees and have a new role as independent representative organizations. The rapid changes in society and legislation to which union members need to adapt require continuing vocational education and training.

Aiming to improve their qualification, they periodically organize trainings, seminars and conferences. Some of them have separate structures in which vocational education and training is carried out, language, computer and a number of other courses are conducted. The courses are open to participants outside the trade unions.

Craft Chambers

Training of craft trade apprentices is governed by the Commerce Act and the several regulations of the Bulgarian Chamber of Craft Trades , which are drawn up in consultation with the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET). The list of craft trades, as defined by the Act, comprise 127 vocations which are divided into the following groups:

• Building and restoration;
• Electrotechnics and metalworking;
• Processing of timber and other materials;
• Sewing, textiles and leatherworking;
• Production of foods and drinks;
• Media, advertising and communication;
• Health and hygiene services;
• Glass and ceramic processing;
• Artistic crafts.

Training of craft trade apprentices is governed by the Crafts Act and the several Bylaws of National Crafts Chamber, which are drawn up in consultation with the National Agency for Vocational Education and Training (NAVET). For practicing crafts activity relevant knowledge, making and technical skills and practical proficiency, acquired through a craftsmanship training and education are acquired as well as through the system of vocational training within the secondary or high school education system, through courses for obtaining or rising the qualification as well as through obtained professional experience are needed.

The Regional crafts chamber supports its members in the organizing and the implementing of the craft training, arranges exams for recognizing craft qualification and issue certificates for journeymen. The regional crafts chambers. participate as members in the National Crafts Chamber. The National Crafts Chamber support and protect the common interests of its members and assist the development of the crafts and the fostering of their prestige.

The National Crafts Chamber assist conservation and development of the traditional Bulgarian crafts, co-ordinate the training programs for the concrete crafts, draft rules of conduction of exams and which rules shall be approved by the National Agency for Professional Education and Training, issue masters certificates.  List of Crafts in the Crafts Act contains 57 Groups of crafts. At an undertaking, organized in a craftsmanship manner and in the "Guild of National Fine Crafts Masters" National Association, apprentices may be trained in the crafts in this groups of crafts. 

Community Cultural Centres

The community culture centres are self ruling Bulgarian cultural – education associations in the settlements, who implement also state culture – education tasks. In their activity can participate all individuals without limitation of age and sex, political and religious beliefs and ethnic self consciousness.

The community culture centres are non profit corporate bodies. The objectives of the community culture centres shall be to satisfy the needs of the citizens, connected with: development and enrichment of the culture life, social and educational activity in the populated place, where they operate, preserving of the customs and the traditions of the Bulgarian people, expanding of the knowledge of the citizens and their incorporation to the values and the achievements of science, art and culture, provision access to information.

The community culture centres organize schools, circles, courses, clubs and other activities to achieve their goals. The more active cultural centres are now once again independent adult education institutions which are combined into several national networks. They are governed by the Community Culture Centres Act.  The centres usually work very closely with the local authorities, especially concerning funding and staff recruitment. The activities of the community culture centres varies, from village cultural centres which serve as little more than places for choirs that keep up folk singing via more active cultural centres running children’s dance groups, brass bands or Art schools and playing an important part in planning local festivals, to large cultural institutions. The more specific teaching branch is organizing language courses, music classes and ballet classes all over Bulgaria. 

The Bulgarian cultural centres are self-governing cultural and educational institutions with a separate legal status, whose tradition is dating back to the 19th century. Their activities expanded with the years and laid the foundation for many aspects of modern cultural life in Bulgaria. Some particularly modern cultural centres are active in the field of regional development. Cultural centres are funded by membership subscriptions, cultural events, renting out of premises, and donations. According to the legal provisions, cultural centres provide “basic local cultural facilities” free of charge. This applies to activities such as folk dance, singing, etc. They may charge fees for other provision, such as the use of the library, languages courses or of course vocational training, where this is offered.

Non-governmental organisations

NGOs, foundations and associations, governed by the Associations Act, regulating the legal status of non-profit organizations in Bulgaria.

- Znanie Association is one of the largest networks of associations involved in adult education in Bulgaria, called “Federation of Societies for Support of Knowledge” (FSSK). It is the umbrella organization for 30 regional associations, which are usually called “Znánie associations” for short. The Federation and its member associations provide a wide range of courses, seminars and other educational activities in such areas as languages and computing, business, book-keeping, banking, agriculture, tourism, culture, retraining, certification systems, vocational training and in-service training for teachers. Сourses on human rights, environmental protection, public service, etc. are also organized.

- Scientific-technical Associations – The scientific – technical associations form another network. They are brought together under an umbrella federation, FNTS (Federation of the scientific–technical associations ). The members of this federation and its member associations are engineers, entrepreneurs, academicians, farmers, technicians, students, etc. FNTS takes part in the adult education market through its own vocational training centre. Its NAVET licence covers over 100 different occupations, largely in the area of technology, and recently also in agriculture and construction.

Employment Agency

The Employment Agency (EA) is an executive agency under the Minister of Labor and Social Policy for the implementation of the state policy on employment promotion, performing functions related to vocational guidance and adult education. Implements a number of national programs, as well as projects with state and European funding, related to the acquisition and improvement of qualifications in professions in demand in the labor market and providing lifelong learning opportunities for unemployed people from disadvantaged groups.