BURGAS

REGIONAL CHAMBER OF
SKILLED CRAFTS
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The handicrafts…

In 2001 a bill was enacted by the

Bulgarian Parliament to regulate the
artisan and handcraft sector –
the
HANDICRAFTS REGULATION ACT
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The handicrafts…

By the Handicrafts Regulation Act 128 crafts fell into nine

major groups:
• I. Crafts related to construction, restoration, and
finishings;
• II. Crafts related to electric engineering and processing
metal;
• III. Crafts related to processing wood and other
materials;
• IV. Crafts related to tailoring, textile and fur-dressing;
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The handicrafts…

• V. Crafts related to production of foods and drinks;

• VI. Crafts related to health and hygiene services;
• VII. Crafts related to media, advertising and
communications;
• VIII. Crafts related to glass-making and ceramics;
• IX. Artistic crafts
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Who we are...

The Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

(RCSC-Burgas) is a non-profit juridical body,
established after the Handicrafts Regulation Act in
2002.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Who we are...

One of RCSC’s basic functions is

supporting the state and regional
administrations in their efforts to enhance
the development of handicrafts, the
development of their economical policy
and purposeful financing of programs and
projects, related to handicrafts.
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Who we are...
Other functions of RCSC:
- supports its members in organizing and implementing
of artisan training and enhancing qualification;
- controls the quality of artisan products and services
and the legitimacy of artisan activities;
- keeps register of the apprentices, journeymen and
master-craftsmen, as well as the artisan enterprises;
- certifies the origin of artisan production.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Who we are...

RCSC’s territorial range of activity covers the

Burgas Region. Representative structures are
established in every major town in the area.
RCSC collaborates with local authorities in
developing s strategy for the enhancement of
the artisan sector and creating auspicious
business environment.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The national structure… National Chamber

of Skilled Crafts
Burgas RCSC is one of 25
regional chambers of skilled
crafts, which, in 2002, founded Regional chambers
the National Chamber of of skilled crafts
Skilled Crafts (NCSC), a (25)
structure which interacts with
state authorities, the
Parliament, the Government,
the Ministries and other state Branch
Artisans,
institutions. Master craftsmen,
associations,
Journeymen,
Guilds
Apprentices
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The national structure…

The Regional Chambers are relatively autonomous

units, free to determine their own priorities and
objectives.
The Regional Chambers are not financially bound
with one another. They are self-supported, and
financed mainly by membership fees,
examination and training fees.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The structure within the chambers…

General Assembly

Chairman,
Managing Board

Personnel
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The members of RCSC – Burgas…

Currently registered in RCSC Burgas are

over 1500 master-craftsmen and
journeymen, and more then 300 artisan
enterprises. The numbers are growing due
to the Master/Journeymen examinations
successfully passed, and the respective
title and qualification which is acquired.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The members of RCSC – Burgas…

RCSC works in close relation with the

regional branch associations and guilds,
The primary goal of these organizations is
to protect the professional interests of their
members.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The members of RCSC – Burgas…

The branch association are collective

members of the Chamber, organizations
within one larger organization.

Presently the branch associations in

RCSC are:
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

The members of RCSC – Burgas…

• the Regional Association of Bakers and Confectioners;

• the Branch Association of Artistic Crafts;
• the Coiffeurs’ Union;
• the Branch Association of Beauticians
• the Auto-service Association;
• the Association of Photographers;

And our latest branch group -

• The DJs Association.
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…

The artisan training traditionally

progresses through three stages –
apprentice, journeyman, and master-
craftsman. This graduation is used even
with modern crafts such as auto-
mechanics and media technologies.
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…

Artisan training does not imply short-term

training courses, which can be provided by any
organisation or company, licensed by the
National Agency for Vocational Training and
Education.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…
Artisan training does imply:
– thoroughness and high quality of the transferred
knowledge and skills;
– training, provided by renowned and well-respected
master-craftsmen;
– long-term learning process and personal experience;
– training and educational process standards strictly set
to meet the requirements for practicing the craft at a
satisfactory level;
– trainees who become qualified and motivated
specialists in their chosen profession.
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…

After successfully passing examination the

new journeyman or master-craftsman
receives a certificate with a unique
number and is entered in the artisan
register.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…

The System of Vocational Training, stipulated by the

Handicrafts Regulations Act, provides three years of
apprenticeship, and three years of journeymen training,
until a Master-Craftsman’s degree is acquired after the
candidate is examined by an appointed committee.
To implement this system into the standards of the
Bulgarian educational system, a Vocational Training
Center was established in 2007 by the National
Chamber of Skilled Crafts. RCSC is in the process of
structuring a local unit of this national center.
 Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Artisan training…

Training premises – workshops provided

by the artisans, where the trainees will
have the opportunity to see the real
working process, the daily life of the
profession – from the most common
routine to the finest details acquainted
only through practice.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Eyes on the future…

Until now the artisan training was accessible mainly for
high-school post graduates. We are currently developing
vocational orientation programs for children under 18 years
old.
The reasons:
Business is flexible and quick to react to existing needs,
and shortage of qualified cadres is widely felt.
Insufficiency of young people with good vocational training
background for permanent employment leaves vacant the
job positions at the artisan enterprises.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Eyes on the future…

The purpose:

Achieving highly effective and durable results, acquiring

theoretical knowledge, and practical skills.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Eyes on the future…

The advantages:
The vocational training provides close
experience of the chosen profession, firstly
through demonstration and observation, and
later, by gradual involvement of the trainee in the
working process. The trainees have instant
impressions on the job, which makes it appear
more attractive to them.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Eyes on the future…

The Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts welcomes ideas

and projects which correspond with one of its principal
goals – training a new generation to carry on the
traditions of artisanship – old and new. We can offer a
wide range of options for training, professional
development, and employment.
Burgas Regional Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Eyes on the future…

To the children of Burgas who want and would be

trained as artisans we offer our support, our
teachers, our experience.
We offer them a future.

We hope that one day these children will become

OUR FUTURE!
THANK YOU!