The Summer Job Program for students, initiated by the Georgian President, is now over. Today President Saakashvili addressed the participants of the program in Anaklia, making remarks on their prospective futures and drawing attention to additional educational programs.

Elene Varazi was announced as the winner of a photo competition within the program and she now has the opportunity to take a 2-week course of study in London. From the State Medical University, the student whose photo received the most number of “likes” (16191) on the Ministry’s Facebook page was awarded with employment at the Optalmiji Medical Clinic as an assistant nurse. The competition lasted for one month, included 100 participants, and was set to the theme of “personal activities.”

The Summer Job program was held from July 20^th to August 20^th throughout Georgia. Vocational and bachelors students of all authorized higher education institutions of Georgia were able to take part. In total, approximately 24,000 students obtained employment while receiving a salary of 500 GEL.

Participants were presented with 20 different categories of employment from which to choose one. Examples include landscaping, library and seaside clean ups, railway conductors, medical assistants, work in museums and legal offices, construction, local municipalities, waiters and waitresses, administration in hotels and cafes, etc.

The program aims to enhance students’ qualifications and further develop their capabilities within specific fields of employment and interest. Additionally, the earned income they receive will aid them in funding their own education or enable them to save for travel, vacations, etc. Similar programs are successfully conducted by much of the Western world. This program included participation from seventeen different governmental organizations and 106 private companies.