Vocational education is equally accessible to all those willing to receive such education, including from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. The vocational education system offers to all interested persons both vocational educational and vocational training and retraining programs.

Bi-annually, the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Affairs announces registration of those willing to study in institutions implementing vocational educational programs. Information about registration deadlines are published on the website of the Ministry (https://mes.gov.ge/index.php?lang=geo) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MESGeorgia/?locale=ka_GE). Admission to vocational education programs is announced twice a year (in spring and autumn).

Vocational Education Programs
 

Vocational education system comprises 3 types of educational programs – Basic Vocational, Secondary Vocational and Higher Vocational educational programs.

1. Precondition for admission to the Basic Vocational Educational Program is the possession of a document certifying the receipt of basic education, completion of at least 9 years of secondary school; 
2. Precondition for admission to the Secondary Vocational Educational Program is the possession of a document certifying the completion of at least 9 years of secondary school. In addition, a person who possesses such document, upon request, can enroll in a secondary vocational educational program where the program of the 10th-12th grades is integrated (the so-called Integrated Program). It is noteworthy that after the completion of the Integrated Program, a diploma equivalent to a certificate of completion of general education (grade 12) is issued. 
3. Precondition for admission to the Higher Vocational Educational Program is the possession of a document certifying at least the completion of general education (a secondary school) or equivalent document.

Teaching within vocational education programs is primarily practice-oriented and is conducted at educational institutions in close cooperation with relevant business organizations. In addition, some programs are implemented through a dual approach, which involves the joint delivery of the program by the educational institution and a training enterprise, with 50% or more of the learning outcomes achieved in a real work environment.

Information on institutions implementing vocational education programs and on a wide range of vocational education programs is available on the following websites:

https://vet.emis.ge/#/dashboard     
https://mes.gov.ge/content.php?id=215&lang=eng&csrt=270089374686279758
 

Registration and enrollment at Vocational Educational Programs

Registration for Vocational Educational Programs is done electronically, at the website - https://vet.ge 
 

To register to Vocational Educational Programs applicants can use:
 

• ID Card of Georgian citizen; or
• Personal ID Number granted as a result of registration; or
• Neutral ID Card (SNID) or Neutral Travel Document (SNTD).

Registration for vocational education programs is announced twice a year.

Enrollment at the vocational educational programs is based on testing. It is noteworthy that persons who are not fluent in Georgian language, are enabled to undergo the selection procedure in another language, including in Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian, with the aim to enroll in a vocational educational program. After passing the selection stage and enrolling, a Georgian language learning module is offered; the successful completion of the latter enables individuals to continue their studies at the vocational educational program of their preference.

For persons with special educational needs (SEN) and persons with disabilities (PWDs), an additional quota is allocated for vocational education programs. In order to confirm their special educational needs status, applicants must select the relevant field “Person with special educational needs” during registration on the portal. SEN/PWD applicants have access to an alternative admission procedure, which enables them to try out, in a real-life environment, the activities characteristic of the profession(s) they have selected. Following admission, each SEN student receives additional quarterly voucher-based funding of GEL 1,000 to support and facilitate their studies.

Based on their individual needs, vocational students with special educational needs (SEN) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are provided with sign language interpreter services, individual assistant support, and mobility and orientation services. Where necessary, the institution also ensures student transportation. The need for additional support services is determined during the assessment of the educational needs of individuals interested in vocational education by relevant specialists or by the institution’s inclusive education specialist, in consultation with the respective team of the Skills Agency.

To support persons with special educational needs and disabled persons, inclusive education specialists of the institution and assistants of the teaching process (as needed) are also engaged in education process. The teaching can take place in accordance with individual plan in case of individual needs.

Enrollment in vocational educational programs without passing the exam is possible for persons who graduated from school in Abkhazia or Tskhinvali region and whose general education (completion of secondary school) was recognized according to the established procedure.

The recognition of general education received in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the A/R of Abkhazia and Administration of the State Representative of the Shida Kartli Region. 

Funding of Vocational Education

Education in state/co-founded vocational educational institutions is fully financed, while in private vocational educational institutions - in accordance with the priority areas determined by the Minister.

Student Dormitory

At present, student dormitories are available in the following vocational educational institutions: 

1. LEPL College Aisi - Gurjaani Municipality (Kachreti village);
2. LEPL College Iberia - Kutaisi;
3. JSC Construction College Construkt2 - Zestafoni;
4. LEPL Samtskhe - Javakheti State Educational University - Akhalkalaki;
5. LEPL College Spectri - Tbilisi;
6. LEPL College Akhali Talga - Kobuleti;
7. Shota Meskhia Zugdidi State Educational University - Zugdidi;
8. Ilia Tsinamdzgvrishvili College - Mtskheti Municipality (Tsinamdvriantkari vukkage).

Vocational Training/Retraining Program

Vocational education system offers short-term vocational training and vocational retraining programs to the adult population, which enables them to retrain/develop skills in a short period of time and get employed/return to the employment market. An official certificate is issued after completion of the mentioned programs. In this case too, studies are fully funded in priority directions. The duration of vocational training and vocational retraining programs is from 2 to 12 months. The enrollment in the program is announced individually by the institution during the entire year.

Additional information: https://vet.ge/programs/short   

Recognition of general education received in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions

The recognition of the general education (completion of secondary school) received in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions enables the enrollment in higher educational institutions (universities) in the rest of Georgia in various preferential ways and receipt of scholarship.

Recognition Rules:

Recognition of the general education received in Abkhazia is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the A/R of Abkhazia and in the region of Tskhinvali - Administration of the State Representative of the Shida Kartli Region. 

For the purpose of recognition of general education, it is necessary:

To submit relevant application, which should be annexed with:
 

• Copy of an identity document;
• A document certifying the completion of a particular grade/level/trimester of general education received in Abkhazia/Tskhinvali region (if any);
• Information about the witnesses who will certify the fact that the interested person graduated from a specific grade/level/trimester of general education in Abkhazia/Tskhinvali region;
• List of institutions where the applicant's document certifying the completion of a specific grade/level/trimester of general education in Abkhazia/Tskhinvali region may be stored;
• Any other document or information certifying the fact that the applicant received general education in Abkhazia/Tskhinvali region.
   

Recognition of the general education received in Abkhazia is carried out within 1 month from the submission of the application.
 

Additional information:

- https://www.abkhazia.gov.ge/saministro/MINISTRY-OF-EDUCATION-AND-CULTURE
- https://shidakartli.gov.ge/  

Contact Information: 

• Hotline of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the A/R of Abkhazia (+99532) 2950752
• Hotline of the Administration of the State Representative in the Shida Kartli Region:
   

(+995 32) 228 57 00