Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Georgia (Ratification: 1993)

Article 1 of the Convention. Implementation of education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013 which includes information in reply to the previous direct request. The Committee notes that a draft of Vocational Education Strategy and Action Plan 2013–20 is being considered with the overall objective to support the government priorities regarding the country’s socio-economic development and poverty reduction for the next decade, through the creation of a nationwide flexible vocational education and training (VET) network which promotes high quality management and technical skills and opportunities for all individuals. The Committee takes note of the different activities and projects carried out between 2010 and 2012 by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) aimed at creating a modern educational infrastructure in vocational colleges and developing high-quality training material. The Government indicates that the MES was assisted and financially supported by numerous national and international organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union and the Norway Refugee Council (NRC). The Government further informs on activities of the MES on strengthening teachers’ skills in vocational education since 2010. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on the policies and programmes of vocational guidance and vocational training, such as the Vocational Education Strategy and Action Plan for the period 2013–20, including information on their implementation and outcomes. It also invites the Government to describe the way in which effective coordination is assured between the Vocational Education Strategy and employment policies and public employment services. Please also include extracts from reports, studies and inquiries and statistical data relating to the matters covered by the Convention (Part VI of the report form).

Articles 3(1) and (4). Information of vocational guidance and vocational further training. The Government indicates that in the context of the Vocational Education Strategy, 1,633 people have participated in the MES state-funded training and retraining programme for vulnerable groups. One example is the “Education for Democracy” training and re-training programme, which retrained 754 refugees in eight vocational colleges in 2010. In 2011, the MES carried out an information campaign to raise vocational education awareness and created a webpage to make information on the programmes provided by public educational institutions available for everyone. Moreover, three free-of-charge information centres were established across the country in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Kobuleti with the purpose of providing information on vocational education programmes and registering applicants in the database. The Government indicates that the UNDP project on increasing gender equality in Georgia is being implemented since 2012 at the community college AISI and aims to match the labour market requirements in five municipalities of the Kakheti region. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it noted the high level of unemployment of young persons. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide, in its next report on Convention No. 142, examples of programmes aiming at ensuring that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are available to all, including young persons. The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the progress made in extending its vocational training system to meet the needs for vocational training throughout life of both young persons and adults in all sectors of the economy.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government reports that in 2009 the vocational education state agencies, employers, trade unions and non-governmental organizations constituted the National Professional Council. The Council aims at elaborating proposals and conclusions regarding the vocational education reform, strategies and action plans. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations and other interested bodies in the formulation and implementation of vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes, including within the framework of the National Professional Council.