Tamar Kitiashvili: "We believe that Georgia can offer international-level professionals to the global market"
Within the framework of the European Vocational Skills Week, an online conference was organized by the European Commission. Tamar Kitiashvili, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, participated in a panel discussion dedicated to the internationalization of vocational education, alongside Cesare Onestini, Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), and other international experts.
In her speech, Tamar Kitiashvili spoke about the steps taken by Georgia towards the internationalization of vocational education and emphasized the importance of introducing and developing quality standards within the system. The Deputy Minister also addressed the challenges that have emerged in the country's vocational education sector under pandemic conditions.
Tamar Kitiashvili also touched upon the successful practices of international certification of specialists and exchange projects in Georgia, which, in her assessment, represent the best way to develop professional skills and enhance local quality.
“With the support of the European Union and various donors, a qualifications and quality framework compliant with European standards has already been introduced in the country, the basis for implementing exchange and joint programs has been prepared, as well as a new model for teaching foreign languages. We believe that Georgia can offer international-level professionals to the global market,” – stated Tamar Kitiashvili.
The Deputy Minister assessed the cooperation between the public and private sectors in Georgia as a positive step and expressed hope that cooperation in this regard will be further deepened. According to her, the internationalization of vocational education aims not only to support labor mobility and economic development between countries, but also social and cultural integration.
At the end of the meeting, Tamar Kitiashvili thanked the European Training Foundation (ETF) for the assistance provided and expressed readiness for even closer cooperation.
The European Vocational Skills Week aims to improve the image of vocational education. It was first held in Brussels in 2016. Georgia joined it along with EU member states and other countries. Various countries also hold vocational skills weeks at the national level. In December 2020, the National Vocational Education Week will be held in Georgia in a remote format.
