EU-funded labour market studies reveal sectors with growth potential and demanded professions in Georgia.
The seven projects funded under the EU’s Skills4Jobs Programme evaluated the local labour markets and identified perceived barriers to employability among job seekers.
Tuesday, 27 September 2022, Tbilisi: The presentation of the main findings of 12 labour market studies financed by the European Union conducted within the Skills4Jobs Grant Projects was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel.
The studies evaluated the local labour markets in the regions of Georgia and identified what perceived barriers exist to employability among job seekers. The research results in the target regions show that the reality does not differ substantially among regions regarding the perception of employment barriers.
One of the main barriers for both employers and job seekers revealed through the studies is the low qualification of job seekers, which is often accompanied by insufficient work experience, improper assessment of their knowledge and skills, and exaggerated expectations regarding remuneration. According to studies, one of the challenges of the labour market is the migration of labour resources from the regions. Another obstacle is the lack of cooperation between potential employers and VET institutions.
“Since 2008, the European Union has supported Georgia in implementing vocational education and training reforms. We are delighted to have the opportunity to discuss these important studies and findings with a wide range of stakeholders today. We hope today’s discussion will help the Government of Georgia, educational institutions and private sector as well as donor community to identify what type of interventions are needed to address these challenges together”, – stated Nino Kochishvili, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
The research, supported by the EU, revealed sectors with growth potential and demanded professions. Studies have shown a shortage of technical and sectoral qualifications in the local labour market and particularly trendy aspects of short-term programmes promoting self-employment. Job seekers are primarily interested in those fields characterised by the abundance of business entities and, accordingly, high employment opportunities.
“Empirical data based on specific labour market study is important when planning vocational education policy. Therefore, the presented studies will help the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the Vocational Skills Agency, in implementing the vocational education policy. We are sure that the educational institutions will also take into account the findings and recommendations of the research, when planning their future activities and programs”, – said Natia Gvirjishvili, Deputy Head of Vocational Education Development Department at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.
The participants discussed the next steps after the presentations and agreed on the importance of conducting similar studies regularly. Among the guests invited to the meeting were the representatives of the European Union, the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Skills Agency, the Youth Agency, the State Agency for Employment Support, the grantees and other relevant stakeholders.
About the project
The EU funds nine projects worth EUR 7 million within the Skills4Jobs programme.
Skills4Jobs Phase 2 was launched in 2018 to improve the employability of women, men, young people and vulnerable people in Tbilisi and regions of Georgia. The programme is implemented through a package of support measures, including budgetary support to the Government of Georgia, two Institutional Twinning projects, a grant scheme component and a technical assistance project.
For further information, please contact:
Tatia Khubulava, TA for Skills Georgia, Communication Consultant | tkhubulava@gmail.com
ANNEX: Short Information about studies:
1. Project: Creating Better LLL Opportunities through Local Partnerships (CBLLL)
The main barriers for both employers and job seekers revealed through the study are a low qualification of job seekers, which is often accompanied by insufficient work experience (or no experience at all), improper assessment of one’s own knowledge and skills, and excessive expectations regarding reimbursement. The study also identified recruitment of seasonal workforce (especially in the tourism and agricultural sectors) is a major challenge due to the high outflow of job seekers to other regions and/or other countries for seasonal jobs.
Contact Info: Nino Gurgenidze, nino.gurgenidze@undp.org
2. Project: Skills for employment and cooperation – tailoring opportunities for the regions of Georgia (SECTORs)
According to the research, one of the challenges of the labour market is the migration of labour resources from the regions. Job seekers are primarily interested in those fields characterised by the abundance of business entities and, accordingly, high employment opportunities. The most common way to find staff is through personal contacts and recommendations. There is a shortage of technical and sectoral qualifications in the local labour market, and short-term programmes promoting self-employment are particularly popular.
Contact Info: Tamar Ghlonti, ici.info.02@gmail.com
3. Project: Learn, Exercise, Achieve, Receive, Network for Employment! (LEARN for Employment!)
The study revealed the demanded vocational programs in the regions, namely the following qualifications were identified by small and medium-sized businesses interviewed during the study: winery host -in Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, food service and hospitality – in Shida Kartli and Kakheti, tea host in Guria.
Contact Info: Lika Kiladze, lika_kiladze@edec.ge
4. Project: Local Investments in Networks for Knowledge and Skill-share (LINKS)
The study identified that the majority of respondents do not cooperate with vocational schools. The highest number of cases of cooperation with vocational schools was revealed in Adjara, while the least – in Kvemo Kartli. The biggest demand is on workers in agriculture, forestry and fishery, while the least demand is noted for managerial positions. Most of the vacancies among business organisations require secondary and lower education or professional education.
Contact Info: Teona Lebanidze, teona@una.ge
5. Project: Laboratory H&S LLL Courses for Youth in Western & Eastern Georgia (CoLLLab)
The project conducted the study on Laboratory Health and Safety Courses for youth in East and West Georgia. According to the research data, the average share of young employees in the sector is very low. The level of cooperation between laboratories and vocational educational institutions is minimal. The study also revealed that there are almost no special safety norms other than basic hygiene in schools and colleges.
Contact Info: Nino Inasaridze, nino.inasaridze@tsu.ge
6. Project: Development of Youth Coding and Tech. Entrepreneurial Club Networks
The survey, conducted among the Tech clubs identified that those students who regularly attend Tech club courses consider continuing their studies in technological fields. The interest in tech professions has increased by 10% after completing the first-year course. Those respondents, who do not consider a tech career, want to enter those specialisations that are still relevant to the courses delivered through tech club training sessions, such as Architecture, Art & Graphic Design, etc.
Contact Info: Ketevan Darakhvelidze, ketevan.darakhvelidze@iliauni.edu.ge
7. Project: Skill Building and Innovative Job Opportunities for Regional Development
The results of the research conducted in the target regions (Guria, Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli) prove that the situation is almost similar in the region in terms of the perception of barriers to employment. The research in the regions identified the following main barriers for employment: lack of work experience, which is also related to the absence of internship opportunities; lack of opportunity to update knowledge and skills; lack of English language. The low level of Georgian language was also identified as an internal barrier to employment in Kvemo Kartli, which is relevant for representatives of ethnic minorities, especially in the older age group.
Contact Info: Ana Pilauri, ana.pilauri@csrdg.ge