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). In 2024, admission to the vocational education program will be announced twice (in spring and fall). 

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 in vocational educational programs is mainly practical and takes place in an educational institution, in close cooperation with relevant business organizations. In addition, some programs are implemented with a dual approach, which implies the joint implementation of the program by the institution and the educational enterprise. 

Information about institutions implementing vocational educational programs and various vocational training programs is available on the following websites:

- https://vet.emis.ge/#/dashboard     

- https://mes.gov.ge/content.php?id=215&lang=geo 

Registration and enrollment at Vocational Educational Programs

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

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).  

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.

Alternative procedure for enrollment is accessible for persons with special educational needs and for disabled persons that enables them to test the activities of their selected profession(s) in actual environment. The education is financed in both – public and private vocational educational intuitions (at priority educational programs) and moreover, additional quarterly funds, in the form of voucher, are allocated for each person with special educational needs following enrollment, to support their education. In accordance with individual needs, persons with special educational needs and disabled persons are offered the service of gesture translator, individual assistant, mobility and orientation. If needed, the educational institution ensures transportation of students. The need for additional services is defined during the evaluation of the educational needs of a persons interested in receiving vocational education, by relevant specialists, or by inclusive education specialist of the institution, in consultation with the relevant 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 the Administration of the former Autonomous District of South Ossetia.

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.emis.ge/#/training-programs 

https://mes.gov.ge/prof_edu.php?id=3&lang=geo

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 - by the Administration of the former Autonomous District of South Ossetia

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://soa.gov.ge/ 

Contact Information: 

Hotline of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the A/R of Abkhazia (+99532) 2950752

Education Service of the Temporary Administration of former South Ossetia: (+995) 595958052