New curricula in vocational education

In the process of reforming the vocational education system, an important role is played by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project “Modernization of Vocational Education and Training Advisory Services System in Georgia's Agriculture”, both in terms of human resources, teaching materials, and material-technical base, as well as the development of standards and educational programs.

Within the framework of this project, new modular educational programs have been developed for eight professions in the field of agriculture. Today, at the Kachreti Public College “Aisi”, representatives of vocational education institutions familiarized themselves with the methodology for piloting flexible modular vocational educational programs focused on vocational students and results.

The opening of the training was attended by: First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia - Ketevan Natriashvili, Deputy Head of the United Nations Development Programme - Sophie Kemkhadze, and Head of the Democratic Governance Programme of the United Nations Development Programme - Natia Natsvlishvili.

The new educational programs address the most pressing needs of the Georgian agricultural employment market. Teaching using modern modular methodology will be conducted in the following specialties: Farmer, Winemaker-Viticulturist, Agronomist, Horticulturist, Livestock Breeder, Veterinary Service Specialist, Fruit and Vegetable Processor, and Dairy Processor. It is noteworthy that farming, as a profession, will be introduced into the vocational college curriculum for the first time.

The new programs were evaluated by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Tamar Sanikidze. According to her statement: “These are very high-quality, completely modern, results-oriented modular programs, which will ultimately raise the quality and help us achieve the level we need in vocational education.”

The educational programs enable students to acquire versatile knowledge, practical experience, and good employment opportunities. The training courses have been developed in close cooperation with private employers. Fifty percent of practical training will be conducted at enterprises and farms.

The piloting of the new educational programs will take place in the summer of 2014 at the vocational colleges of Kachreti, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, and Senaki. One hundred and thirty students will participate in the pilot programs.

The agricultural programs have been developed through the joint efforts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).