Mikheil Chkhenkeli: Vocational education is our priority, as it is directly related to employment
When speaking at the Parliament, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, once again noted that vocational education is a country priority and spoke about the planned and ongoing activities in this direction.
“Vocational education is our priority, because it is directly related to employment. Our graduates will be able to be gainfully employed with international diplomas both in Georgia and abroad.
An example of this is that just a few weeks ago, for the first time in Georgia, 62 successful graduates of the “Spektri” college were awarded international vocational program diplomas authorized by the British international educational organization (BTEC).
The uniqueness of these vocational programs lies in the fact that they were created on the basis of British programs and their implementation was funded by the Millennium Challenge Fund Georgia. This is a good example of how powerful programs can be created with the help of our strategic partners, the graduates of which are truly competitive on the world stage.
Within the framework of the new law “On Vocational Education”, the Ministry started the development of the adult education system. Short-term vocational training and retraining programs were formalized. In addition to educational institutions, legal entities of private law that meet established standards were given the opportunity to participate in the implementation of the program. Training and retraining programs are available in the fields of construction, information technology, and tourism. At the current stage, 8 vocational educational institutions are involved in the implementation of the programs. Up to 600 trainees were given the opportunity to complete the programs;
An electronic system for vocational training and retraining was introduced (tvet.emis.ge)
Structural and substantive connections were formed between vocational education and other levels of education, thereby eliminating the so-called “educational dead end”. It became possible to start preparatory work in order to integrate the secondary level of general education into vocational education. Completion of this type of program will end with the issuance of a diploma equivalent to a full general education certificate.
Subordinate normative acts regarding the financing of vocational education were prepared and initiated. In particular, starting from 2019, private educational institutions joined voucher financing within the framework of priority fields;
In 2019, the Khulo branch of the “Akhali Talgha” (New Wave) college was opened. Also, the branch of the “Blexi” college in the Shuakhevi municipality and a new college in Kaspi are at the final stage. Preparatory works are underway in Borjomi, Akhalkalaki, Tskaltubo, Martvili, Khashuri, Marneuli, Chokhatauri;
An agreement was signed between the Governments of Germany and Georgia, which envisages the establishment of an Excellence Centre in Tbilisi and the implementation of educational programs in the fields of construction and logistics within its framework. The implementation of the project will begin in 2020.”– stated the Minister during his speech in the Parliament.
