Sofia Vocational High School of Tourism is situated near the Lion’s Bridge at 182 Slivnitsa bl., Sofia.
The high school was established in 1951 and for more than half a century now, 57 years to be more precise a lot of professionals working in the tourist industry received their education and training here.
There are 29 classes each school year with more than 900 students in 3 professional fields
Hotel services, restaurant industry and catering
Receptionist in a hotel Hotelier Restauranteur Catering
Chef Bartender
Travel, tourism and leisure time
Tour Guide
Management and administration
Company Manager
Sofia Vocational High School of Tourism, just like the other vocational high schools gives professional training alongside with the general subjects study. The school provides vocational training programmes of five or six years’ duration. Students enrol at the age of 15 after basic education (for five-year programmes) or after grade seven at the age of 14 (for six- year programmes), after passing entrance exams for six-year programmes. School-leavers obtain a secondary education diploma and a certificate for third-level vocational qualification (after passing theoretical and practical exams); the above-mentioned certificate entails managerial skills. In six-year programmes the first school year (eighth grade) provides intensive foreign language training and follows the same curricula as in the foreign language
schools. That is why enrolment in such six-year programmes requires students to pass an entrance exam.
It also provides postsecondary education lasting for two years, leading to fourth-level vocational qualifications, which give access to jobs with managerial responsibilities.
Centre for vocational training - CVT
Since 1990 there was established a CVT within the school with a licence which entitles the centre to provide and certify vocational training of young people and adults belonging to different target groups with acquiring a vocational qualification degree .
There are 18 classrooms for the general education and training kitchens and auditoriums for the vocational training. There is a cozy Sky Bar on the third floor, constructed as a result of a Bulgarian-Austrian project work and cooperation. The training of waiters and bartenders as well as business meetings with foreign visitors and guests take place there. There is a well equipped reception desk in the school’s lobby which is an information center as well. It is used for the professional practical training for the students in the field of “Receptionist”.
Professional training of the students from 12-th grade takes place in the school training restaurant. It can accommodate more than 60 customers. The students are responsible for making menus, cooking dishes and serving them to the guests and clients of the restaurant. At lunchtime the restaurant works in its full capacity. There is also a coffee shop and a conference room for 20 people where business meetings and discussions can be held.
Some of the students pass their professional training outside the school premises in Sofia Grand Hotel, Crystal Palace Hotel, Arena Di Serdica, Greenville, Hill Hotel, Princess Hotel, etc. There they experience working in real working conditions and they may acquire practical competences on a high level. At the end of their professional training they receive recommendations from the employers as a certificate for their professional qualities.