Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the candidate running for the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, addressed the joint committees of the Parliament and spoke about the new initiatives in the field of vocational education and plans focused on the development of this field.

"After the adoption of the new law on vocational education, the field of adult education has developed significantly, private companies have been actively involved in the training of the workforce" -  stated the ministerial candidate in connection with one of the most important initiatives.

According to Mikheil Chkhenkeli, based on the amendments in Georgian law, the system for the first time has accepted students, who, in addition to studying a new profession, will also receive general education. Graduates will receive diplomas equal to the general education certificate and will continue their studies at the higher education level if they wish to do so.

According to the Ministerial candidate, the associated quality programs, and credit recognition mechanism for the interconnection of vocational and higher education will be introduced, as well as the scale of vocational education in public schools will be increased.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli emphasized that a new model of management of the vocational education system is being introduced in cooperation with government agencies, private sector, and international organizations. From 2021, the system will start operating in accordance with this model.

Addressing the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Mikheil Chkhenkeli spoke about other important initiatives and planned innovations, namely: an increase in access to vocational education in the coming years; successful introduction of national framework in line with the European Qualifications Framework; a successful implementation of new standards for the authorization of vocational education institutions based on European Framework indicators; a development of network of colleges in Marneuli, Kaspi, Khashuri, Borjomi, Lanchkhuti, Chokhatauri, Akhalkalaki, Batumi, Tskaltubo; and a gradual introduction of projects of international level at Georgian vocational colleges, where foreign students will study together with Georgian citizens. For example, wine and culinary colleges in Kakheti, tourism school in Dusheti, and engineering center in Tbilisi.

"From 2021, Georgian vocational education will move to a new stage of development. With the support of the European Union, a strategy for the coming years is being prepared, which will respond to the socio-economic challenges of the country and the new agenda of the Association Agreement with the European Union. A platform with the appropriate legal form (Skills Agency) will be created through a public-private partnership and a new stage of professional education development will begin” - stated Mikheil Chkhenkeli.

Towards the end of his presentation on vocational education, Mikheil Chkhenkeli focused on an extremely important project with the Asian Development Bank. The collaboration envisages allocation of $70 mln for the development of vocational education in Georgia. The program "Modern Skills for the Development of a Better Employment Sector" has been developed and aims to increase access to international standard vocational education in 22 municipalities of Georgia. The developed model foresees the optimal use of all educational spaces, including schools, to offer modern programs to the citizens of Georgia.