Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili participated in a meeting held by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze with representatives of the Business Association of Georgia (BAG) over the education reform concept.

When addressing representatives of the business sector, Mariam Kvrivishvili noted that the Ministry of Economy needed to conduct a macro-assessment for the business community, considering the demands of the labour market.

“Each of us has a historic opportunity to secure and balance the supply-demand chain in the labour market, to plan for the opportunities that each employer will create in our country’s economy in the coming years. At the same time, the ministry should conduct a macroeconomic assessment for the business sector, considering the demands of the labour market.

Today’s meeting was a simulated exercise to evaluate how many jobs the business sector could create over the next five years, identify the challenges, and determine the relevant sectors and roles involved. We also conducted a macro-level assessment regarding new sectors, taking into account the investments we anticipate or have already begun implementing in our country,” she said.

Mariam Kvrivishvili remarked that, through the joint efforts of the government, the business sector, and the Ministry of Education, a new roadmap should be developed to ensure that each university and educational programme aligns proportionally with the needs of industry.

The Economy Minister emphasised the role of professional education. She said vocational education “is one of the priority areas that should be paid great attention, especially in sectors such as information, hospitality, transport, and logistics.”

“The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of developing a new labour force, and highlighted that professional education will play a key role in expediting this process. She expressed motivation, through close cooperation with you, to present a unified perspective from the government and business sectors to the Prime Minister regarding which sectors, roles, and specific areas will require education reform over the next five years. This includes both higher and vocational education, ensuring that every graduate has the opportunity to become employed, whether in the public or private sector,” she said.

Minister of Education Givi Mikanadze, parliamentary Education Committee Chair Mariam Lashkhi, Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani and MP Shota Berekashvili attended the meeting.