MINISTRY OF INFRASTRUCTURE HOLDS A WORKING MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

The Ministry of Infrastructure organized a working meeting of representatives from construction companies and the ones from private and public vocational educational institutions.

In attendance of the meeting were: Minister of Infrastructure Revaz Sokhadze, Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) of the Ministry of Infrastructure - Giorgi Shonia, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Youth – Baia Kvitsiani, Head of Department for Vocational Education Development – Tamar Kvinikadze, and representatives of the construction sector and vocational educational institutions, participating in governmental projects.

The main topic of the meeting was the shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector, and close cooperation between the government, the business community, and the vocational education system to address this issue.

Minister of Infrastructure Revaz Sokhadze addressed the meeting participants and noted that demand for skilled professionals is growing significantly amid current and scheduled large-scale infrastructural projects in Georgia. According to him, during meetings with construction companies, the shortage of skilled workers emerged as one of the main challenges; therefore, it is important for the vocational education system to align as closely as possible with the actual needs of the labor market.

“This situation has led representatives of the construction sector and vocational education to come together in a single working forum so that employers can directly identify the professions and competencies they need, and vocational education institutions can take these requirements into account when planning their curricular. Our goal is to create a permanent platform for cooperation where the education system and the business community jointly determine those skills that the country needs,” said Minister.

It was noted at the meeting that promoting vocational education and familiarizing young people with real employment prospects in the construction industry is one of the key prerequisites for training qualified staff in this field. The parties also discussed specific formats for cooperation and mechanisms that will facilitate effective coordination between the company and the vocational education system.

The Minister also noted that a new state-owned company is being established within the Ministry of Infrastructure, which will be responsible for implementing and managing a modern system for maintaining public roads throughout the country. According to Minister, this will significantly increase the demand for qualified specialists, including heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors, specialists of electromechanical systems, as well as specialists, working in the fields of road operation, safety, and maintenance.

The meeting participants noted that the development of vocational education, adjusted to the needs of the construction sector, along with constant cooperation between the government, the business community, and educational institutions, will help reduce the shortage of skilled workers and boost employment of the youth, as well as contribute to the successful implementation of the infrastructural projects of the country and the long-term development of the construction field.

In attendance of the meeting were: Deputy Ministers of Infrastructure – Vakhushti Bagrationi, Ilia Begiashvili and Batu Gurjidze, Head of Roads Department – Levan Darakhvelidze, and Director of the United Water Supply Company – Besik Jikurauli.