Resolution of the Government of Georgia
#203  November 4,  2009 Tbilisi
On the establishment of the Statute of the National Vocational Education and Training Council

Article 1. With the purpose of supporting development of vocational education and training (VET) and  ensuring coordinated activities of governmental institutions, employers  trade unions and nongovernmental sector as well as VET centers in VET, in accordance with 2^nd Paragraph of the 29^th Article of the   Law of Georgia “Structure, Powers and Order of Activity of the Government of Georgia”, the Statute of the National Vocational Education and Training Council stated in the appendix shall be enacted.

Article 2. The decree shall be in force from the moment of its signature.

Prime minister                                                                                                 Nika Gilauri

Approved by the Resolution of the Government of Georgia #203

November 4, 2009

The Statute of the National VET Council

Article 1 General Provisions

1. The National VET Council (hereinafter – Council) is a consultative board based on the principles of the social partnership in VET, and is created for the coordination of activities among government, employers, trade unions and nongovernmental sector.

2.  In its activities the council abides to the Constitution of Georgia, international agreements and contracts of Georgia, other Georgian laws and bylaws and this Statute.

Article 2 Council Membership

1.  The Council members are nominated by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and approved by the Government of Georgia .

2. No less than one member from the following governmental institutions and legal entities as well as real persons shall be represented in the Council.

1. The  Government of Georgia;
2. The Parliament of Georgia;
3. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia;
4. The Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia;
5. The Ministry of Finance of Georgia;
6. The Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia;
7. The Ministry of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sports of Georgia;
8. The Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia;
9. The Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia;
10. The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia;
11. The Office of the State Minister of Georgia for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration;
12. Public Organizations;
13. Employers’ association;
14. VET Center and their union;
15. Independent expert.

3. The chairman of the Council is the Prime Minister of Georgia.

4. Other members of the Parliament of Georgia and the Government of Georgia, governmental institutions, nongovernmental and international organizations and also independent experts can participate in the activities of the Council by the decision of the chairman of the Council.

5. The denomination of a Council member can be decided by the initiative of the Government of Georgia, by the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science, relevant individual or legal entities they represent.

Article 3 Council Goals

The Council goal is to ensure coordinated activities between governmental Institutions, employers, trade unions and nongovernmental sector as well as VET centers.

Article 4 Powers of Council

In order to achieve its goal the Council:

• Develops proposals and resolutions related to the VET Reform Strategy and VET Development Action Plan . VET Reform Strategy is approved by the order of the Prime Minister;
• Develops proposals on the formation of various committees and working groups in sphere of VET;
• Can obtain any relevant information from the governmental institutions in accordance with Georgian legislation.
• The Council forms the working groups and invites independent experts to study the issues and frame recommendations within its scope.

Article 5 Working Groups and Independent Experts

1. As necessary the Council creates thematic working groups with the total majority of the council members for the implementation of tasks defined in the Statute.
2. Representatives of the governmental institutions, legal entities in the respective fields, the scientists and experts can be members of the working groups.
3. The frequency of meetings is determined by the Council in accordance to the responsibilities of the group. The working group meetings are held no less than once in three months.
4. The head of the working group who guides its activities is elected by the majority of the total number of the Council members from the group.
5. The Council can invite an independent expert with the purpose of studying an issue within its competence and framing recommendations as necessary.
6. An independent expert can be a person with relevant competences and experience in the respective field.
7. The scope of the activities of the expert is determined by the Council in accordance with the responsibilities.

Article 6 Council Meeting

1. The Council and the Council meetings are chaired by the chairman of the Council.
2. In case of the absence of the Council chairman, the responsibility is taken by a member nominated by him/her.
3. The Secretary of the Council who records the minutes is elected during the Council meeting among the Council members
4. A Secretariat is established with the Council members of which are appointed by the MoES by an individual administrative-legal act. The Secretariat provides technical support of the working groups established by the Council as well as independent expert activities
5. The Council is legitimate when the majority of the members are attending.
6. The Council meets at least once in three months. Twice per year Council meetings are extended for the participation of different stakeholders in VET.
7. The agenda of a Council meeting is approved by the Chairman. The meeting discussion topics can be presented by the Chairmen and members of the Council as well as heads of the working group and independent experts invited to the Council meeting.
8. The decisions of the Council are made by the majority of votes. In case of the equal votes the vote is of the chairman is decisive.
9. No later than 5 days after the meeting, minutes shall be signed by the chairman of the Council and the secretary.
10. The Council secretary represents the member of the secretariat as well that is responsible for sending the minutes to the Council members, working group members, independent experts and other interested parties.
11. In case of need the chairman of the Council has a right to call for a special meeting.

Article 7 Concluding Statement

The statute of the Council can be dismissed or amended by the decree of the Government of Georgia.