Mikheil Chkhenkeli met with representatives of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) in London

Mikheil Chkhenkeli, who is on an official visit to London for the World Education Forum, met with representatives of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and briefed them on the reforms implemented in Georgia in the field of vocational education and future plans.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli spoke extensively about the novelties planned for the near future, which involve the establishment of vocational colleges based on Georgian universities. Specifically, students will be given the opportunity to easily transfer credits accumulated in undergraduate and vocational programs.

At the meeting, discussions also touched upon the changes according to which individuals without a high school diploma will be given the opportunity to complete special courses and receive a document equivalent to a school certificate, as a result of which they will be able to continue their studies in a vocational program.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli and the representatives of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) also spoke extensively about the necessity of involving the private sector in vocational education—specifically, the opening of vocational courses based on companies, which will give successful students the chance to be employed in the same company. The conversation also touched upon the Minister's initiative regarding future close cooperation between British and Georgian colleges, through which students will be given a unique opportunity to participate in exchange programs to enhance their knowledge. To achieve this, it will be necessary to retrain personnel employed in vocational education and establish new colleges, in which the Education and Skills Funding Agency will closely cooperate with the Ministry.