New approaches will be introduced in the field of employment
The meeting, opened by Ketevan Natriashvili, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, the Social Service Agency, and the European Union Technical Assistance Project.
Based on a grant agreement signed in 2013 between the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, the introduction of inclusive education within the vocational education system began. As a result, from 2013 through 2014, 203 SEN and PWD individuals were enrolled across approximately thirty different educational programs in 16 vocational institutions. However, the professional education of these individuals will be considered a successful initiative only if it is followed by the employment of graduates and the realization of their professional skills. Accordingly, a pressing issue for the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia is to support the employment of students with special educational needs after the completion of their vocational education.
By ratifying the 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Georgia recognized the equal right of persons with disabilities to work in an open and accessible labor market and undertook the obligation to ensure the employment of PWDs in both the public and private sectors. Consequently, the Ministry of Education and Science is guided by the vision that every person should have the right to choose a profession based on their interests and abilities and to become highly qualified and competitive in the labor market.
It is a priority for the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia to take effective steps regarding the employment of PWD and SEN persons. Initiated by the Ministry of Education and with the involvement of the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, negotiations have begun with the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the Social Service Agency regarding the creation and piloting of various employment services for persons with disabilities and special educational needs.
In the modern world, the development of new approaches is constantly preceded by thorough research so that the strategy defined by the state is consistent and evidence-based. To this end, commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science, the organization "IPM Research" conducted a study at the end of 2014 entitled "Studying Employer Attitudes Towards the Employment of Persons with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs".
Today's meeting featured a presentation of the study results, a discussion of the highlighted key factors, and the presentation of a future action plan based on the findings of the study.
