The initiative to facilitate easier access to the job market is implemented by the Sofia Development Association and the Young Talents Bulgaria platform.
On October 25, 2024, the opening event of the new initiative “Career Opportunities for People 50+” by the Sofia Development Association and Young Talents Bulgaria took place at SofiaLab. The initiative aims to provide people in this age group with access to targeted skill acquisition training, as well as career and psychological counseling.
At the opening event, key speakers outlined the development plan for the initiative. Ekaterina Yordanova, Chair of the Sofia Development Association Board, emphasized the importance of supporting pre-retirement age individuals, stating that “there needs to be a link between institutions, people, and employers to fully utilize the potential of this group. Two key steps are necessary to achieve these goals—education and targeted thematic training.”
Following this, Snezhina Gabova from the Sofia Development Association and Georgi Parvanov from Young Talents Bulgaria presented the main goals and phases of the “Career Opportunities for People 50+” initiative. “The world is changing, and so is Bulgaria. Fifty is the new thirty. Our goal is to make age irrelevant in the job market by 2030,” Parvanov shared.
Over the course of one year, the training program will support at least 50 people through courses focused on digital and green skills, personal development, and professional support.
Smilen Valov, Executive Director of the Employment Agency, noted that the agency offers numerous tools to support the employment of people aged 50+. “People over 50 are the future of the labor market. This group has discipline and experience, making them highly desirable to employers,” he said.
During the business collaboration panel, Plamen Vasilev, Director of Human Resources at Holcim Bulgaria, reinforced the importance of including older employees in the modern workforce. He added that this group has tremendous potential, as people over 50 are disciplined, goal-oriented, and loyal to their employers.
Those interested in the program can learn more on the Synclusive Project website: [https://synclusiveproject.eu/?p=4222](https://synclusiveproject.eu/?p=4222).
The campaign is part of the broader framework of the Synclusive project, which aims to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the labor market. The project is funded by the Horizon Europe research and innovation program of the European Union.
