The first vocational education conference in Georgia was opened by the Rector of Tbilisi State University (TSU), Academician Jaba Samushia. The event brought together vocational program students and educators to discuss key topics in the field.

The conference, titled “Vocational Education: A New Opportunity for Career Advancement”

was organized by Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University Center for Vocational Education. The aim of the conference was to highlight the significance of vocational education, explore its challenges and innovations, and discuss career development opportunities.

According to TSU Rector Jaba Samushia, the TSU vocational education center currently enrolls around 400 students who are trained in key professional fields and gaining the skills needed to compete in the job market. “In the near future, we will introduce even more programs to expand opportunities for our students to find their place in the labor market. This is the first conference specifically focused on vocational education, providing an excellent platform to discuss the challenges in the field. Vocational education is the future of our country, and Tbilisi State University is dedicated to fostering its growth and advancement.

The opening of the conference was attended by TSU Vice-Rector Kakhaber  Cheishvili, Head of the Vocational Education Development Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth Affairs of Georgia Tamar Kvinikadze, Deputy Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement Kakhaber Eradze, Head of the Vocational Skills Agency Irina Margishvili, Head of the TSU Center for Vocational Education Levan Tsikaridze, as well as vocational students, graduates, educators, and invited guests.

According to Tamar Kvinikadze, Head of the Vocational Education Development Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth Affairs of Georgia, this conference marks the first opportunity to openly discuss important topics such as the significance of vocational education, existing challenges, and career advancement opportunities. She mentioned that various services have been implemented within the vocational education system in the field of career education to benefit students and graduates.

Kakhaber Eradze, Deputy Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, welcomed the initiative for the conference on vocational education. He noted that TSU is distinguished by its approach to vocational education, as evidenced by its master’s and doctoral programs in this field, and most importantly, the TSU Center for Vocational Education, where individuals can gain professional qualifications. “Vocational education is not just a learning process; it involves feedback and a comprehensive quality assurance system. It means that we summarize and align the path we've taken, look back, and improve what we do. I believe that events like this contribute not only to providing quality education but also to promoting vocational education,” he stated.

Irina Margishvili, Head of the Vocational Skills Agency, emphasized the importance of supporting vocational education and holding conferences of this nature. “It is particularly significant that graduates and students share their thoughts and opinions with us. This opens the field for discussion, where the possibilities of vocational education will become clearer and more distinct,” she concluded.

Levan Tsikaridze, Head of the TSU Center for Vocational Education, stated that the center offers 7 programs in Tbilisi and 8 - in Kutaisi. Considering the demands of the labor market, 5 new programs will be added in the fall.

“The TSU Center for Vocational Education is dedicated to developing the professional skills of our students. I hope that our center will be more widely represented in the future, and next year, more teachers and vocational students will join this conference,” said Levan Tsikaridze.

Nia Shaburishvili, a student at the TSU Center for Vocational Education, shared:
“Today's conference is a great opportunity for us, vocational program students, to express our views on vocational education and career development opportunities and discuss the challenges and innovations in this field.”

Vocational educational programs have been offered at TSU since 2007, and since 2019, the administration of vocational programs has been overseen by the TSU Center for Vocational Education.

The demand for vocational education in Georgia increases every year. On average, there are 8-10 applicants per available spot in TSU vocational programs.