Guidance System in Georgia

General Overview

In Georgia, career guidance services are primarily implemented with the support of three ministries: The Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, and the Ministry of Culture and Sport.

The introduction of career guidance services started in 2015 through the initiatives of these three ministries. National standards for career guidance and career planning were developed, along with sub-standards and relevant tools for professionals working in this field, targeting specific groups.

In 2024, the Strategy for Career Guidance, Counseling, and Career Planning in Formal Education 2024-2030 was adopted. The document covers the directions necessary to ensure the availability of quality career guidance services at all levels of formal education (general, vocational, and higher). Its aim is to enable every citizen, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, place of residence, ethnic origin, or ability, to make informed career decisions based on the analysis of their own competencies, labor market demands, and the characteristics of different professions. This strategy, together with its action plan, will contribute to the development of career guidance services at all levels of education.

Policy and Current Practices in the Education System

Career Guidance Services at the General Education Level

Between 2013 and 2017, the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions implemented a career guidance and career planning program. In 2017, to promote vocational education, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth launched the Vocational Education Development Program in public schools which has been administered by the Skills Agency Georgia since 2021.

Since 2019, basic vocational courses have been added to the program for 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade students.

The program serves several key objectives:

• Implementing career guidance services for students in general education institutions;
• Promoting the development of vocational skills among students;
• Encouraging collaboration between general and vocational education institutions;
• Popularizing vocational education and increasing its accessibility;
• Supporting continuous education and encouraging students to pursue further education.

The vocational orientation courses have a career guidance component, with their primary aim being to support students in the process of choosing a profession. By combining theoretical and practical components, these courses assist students in transitioning between educational levels and making career-related decisions at different stages of life. Students in grades 10-12 begin to study specialized vocational subjects, taking their first steps in vocational education alongside their school curriculum.

Career Guidance Services at the Vocational Education Level

Since February 2020, the updated standard for the authorization of vocational education institutions requires all institutions implementing vocational programs to offer career guidance services.

Career Guidance objectives at the vocational education level are closely linked to employment and social inclusion. These objectives include:

• Assisting vocational students and graduates in setting and achieving professional and personal career goals;
• Supporting the employment of vocational students and graduates; enhancing their ability to navigate the job market and present themselves professionally and confidently to potential employers;
• Establishing long-term partnerships with employers to facilitate internships and employment opportunities for students.

Currently, every public vocational education institution has at least one career guidance manager responsible for providing career guidance services to students. These services are available to both current and prospective students at all public vocational education institutions. Career guidance managers provide updated information on employment opportunities, organize open days, deliver presentations about vocational programs and institutions, and maintain databases on graduate employment while collaborating with organizations offering practical training.

Various donor organizations, including the Millennium Challenge Account – Georgia (MCA) and the EU-funded Technical Assistance to VET and Employment Reforms in Georgia (EUVEGE), support career guidance education in public and private vocational education institutions.

Since 2021, the vocational education information portal (www.vet.ge) has been available to provide information on interventions, educational services, and sector regulations for all stakeholders.

Career Guidance Services at the Higher Education Level

According to the authorization standards for higher education institutions, their mission should include fostering students’ personal development and enhancing their competitiveness in the labor market. Along with other stakeholders, employers and associations must participate in the planning, development, and revision of educational programs to ensure the creation of labor market-oriented and modern educational programs based on labor market research. Higher education institutions are also required to provide career guidance services, where students receive consultations and assistance with employment and career development. Furthermore, academic and administrative staff should be offered continuous professional development opportunities.

Career Guidance services are implemented with varying approaches in different higher education institutions. Aside from individual initiatives by some institutions, cooperation between the education sector, the private sector, and other stakeholders in delivering career guidance services is still developing.