The Minister of Education and Science visited the Vocational Education and Training Center “Ikarosi” and got familiarized with the infrastructure and the activities of the center. The Minister met with foreign students and listened the evaluation of the center from them. Dimitri Shashkini noted, the interest of foreigners in our professional centers indicates the right development and attractiveness of the system. “Internationalization of our educational system is one of the priorities of the ministry” – said the Minister.

 The center trains professionals in following specializations of tourism: cook, barman, waiter, receptionist, hotel booking, also specialists in the art of cuisine, restaurant and hotel businesses.

The Vocational Education and Training Center “Ikarosi” was founded in 2007. 1,387, 000 GEL was allocated from the state budget to renovate the material-technical base of the center. Studying at the center is free. 160 students have already graduated from “Ikarosi”. 150 students passed the training courses, financed  by USAID. Currently, more than 100 students study there, 16 of foreign students study at courses, which are not free of charge.

The center will admit 105 students to pass two year courses from April, 2010. Additionally, 150 students will receive education at “Ikarosi” , financed by USAID.

All graduates from “Ikarosi” have been employed. The employers are hotels: Tbilisi-Marriott, Courtyard-Marriott, Sheraton Metechi Palace, Radisson SAS Blue Iveria, also smaller guest-houses, GMC Group restaurants and etc. Potential employers are transnational brands, which are being built nowadays (Hyatt, Intercontinental, Kempinski and etc.).