Students graduating from the 12th grade this year will, for the first time, receive certificates confirming a specific profession alongside their school leaving certificates, Georgia’s Minister of Education Givi Mikanadze said during an interpellation hearing in Parliament.
Mikanadze said vocational education remains one of the ministry’s priorities.
Integrated vocational education programs were introduced in schools two years ago for students in grades 11 and 12, creating the basis for the new certification system.
“In just a few weeks, we will be handing out a certificate confirming a specific profession to 12th graders along with their school leaving certificate,” Mikanadze said.
He noted that more than 80 schools across Georgia are involved in the program, with hundreds of students participating.
The minister said the qualifications would help young people enter the labor market immediately after graduation.
“After receiving the appropriate diploma, they will be able to freely start working in various enterprises as individual entrepreneurs or hired employees,” he told lawmakers.
Integrated vocational education in public schools was launched in September 2024 at the initiative of former Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari.
The pilot program initially operated in 20 public schools and allowed 11th and 12th grade students to receive both a vocational education diploma and a general education certificate simultaneously.
