Academic year for vocational educational programmes begins
Tamar Sanikidze, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, personally congratulated the students of the "Spektri" vocational college on the start of the academic year and wished success to students of all vocational institutions. This year, 600 students will master various professions at "Spektri", among whom are eight persons with special educational needs.
In the 2013-2014 academic year, nearly 9,000 students enrolled through testing will study up to 100 professions free of charge in vocational programs. The duration of each vocational educational program is determined by the respective vocational standard. Consequently, the duration of a given program ranges from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2.5 years.
The most in-demand programs this year are:
- Tourism, Marketing, Office Manager;
- Transport โ Running Gear Technician, Engine Repairer, and others;
- Computing/Informatics (Computer Networks and Systems Technician, Information Technologist, Web Technologies, Accounting, Computer Systems and Networks);
- Construction โ Mason, Tiler-Finisher;
- Nursing, Pharmacy, etc.
For the first time this year, persons with special educational needs also have the opportunity to acquire a profession; their number for the current academic year is 51.
For 2013, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia developed a transparent and fair rule for enrollment and funding in vocational programs of state-funded educational institutions.
Enrollment in vocational programs of state educational institutions was carried out based on testing in vocational skills. There was no enrollment barrier based on test results. Students who enrolled on a competitive basis and crossed the minimum competency threshold during testing were given the opportunity to receive free education with state funding in state educational institutions.
