The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, while presenting the ten-year development plan, introduced the vision of the development of vocational education to the public.

According to the Minister, in the first phase of the reform in the field of vocational education (2013-2020), fundamental changes were made to bring national qualifications and infrastructure in line with the European standard.

"At the next stage of the reform, it is important to increase the scale so that the largest part of the economically active population receives vocational education and is employed in accordance with the demand of the labour market. It is planned to support the development of a network of public and private educational institutions, so that by 2032, up to 100,000 young people and adults a year in the country will be able to receive international standard vocational education, including training programs" - said the Minister

According to Mikheil Chkhenkeli, all municipalities will be offered programs and a variety of services relevant to the local economy, including for vulnerable groups.

In his speech, the Minister also touched upon the issue of integrated access to vocational and general education, noting that adolescents with basic education already have the opportunity to continue their studies in integrated vocational programs, which, in addition to secondary education, also enable them to master the profession. The number of integrated programs will gradually increase.

"Vocational and higher education levels will also be closely linked. It is especially important to activate the potential of the adult population and update their competencies. Therefore, the scale of delivery of state certification training programs will increase every year."- said Mikheil Chkhenkeli.

As for the approximation of Georgia's qualifications system to international standards and the promotion of its integration into the common European space, according to the Minister, the introduction of the relevant standard of EQAVET (European Quality Education Network) indicators approved in 2020 is being successfully implemented. In 6 years, all schools will operate in full compliance with the new standard, which will strengthen international connections and promote the international recognition of national qualifications.

In terms of internationalization of vocational education, exchange and joint programs with foreign institutions are encouraged. It is planned to launch the Erasmus program already at the level of vocational education. Development Centers (CoE) and international institutions will be developed that will be able to attract foreign students. Foreign language centres will be launched in schools. Exchange programs will be offered to both students and teachers.

Moreover in his speech, the Minister also touched upon the Prime Minister's initiative and noted that foreign teachers will be involved in the teaching process, which will contribute to the teaching of international standards. A new model of professional teacher development will be introduced. Teacher hourly pay, which has increased 3 times in the last few years, continues to grow.

Regarding the means and methods of teaching in vocational colleges, Mikheil Chkhenkeli said that digital and mixed teaching approaches will be introduced, as well as the modernization of workshops and practical learning spaces will continue. Private-public partnerships will continue to increase the scale of teaching in the real work environment, with a special emphasis on the introduction of a dual learning model. The development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem based on colleges is a priority, which in turn will contribute to the development of small businesses.

As for public / private partnership, according to the Minister, a prerequisite for effective management of vocational education in all developed countries is the shared responsibility between the private and public sectors, which is systemic and organized. From 2021, Georgia was able to introduce an unprecedented and completely innovative management model. A professional skills agency has been established in a private-public partnership, run by seven large employers' associations with public sector representatives. The platform also ensures the involvement of more than 40 sector organizations, which will facilitate the development of the field in accordance with market requirements.

According to the ten-year plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the budget of vocational education will reach 730 million GEL by 2030.