Review of Institutional Arrangements for SIAP Implementation in Georgia

Review of Institutional Arrangements for SIAP Implementation in Georgia

Published in December 2015, this is the final report of the Review of Institutional Arrangements required for VET reform in Georgia.

Short description:

Georgia developed strategies for VET reform for the periods 2009–2012 and 2013–2020. The implementation of these strategies was based on a rolling annual plan called the SIAP or Strategy Implementation Action Plan. The SIAP for 2015, prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science, contained no fewer than 78 activities to be implemented over a period of 12 months.

It was decided to carry out a systematic Review of Institutional Arrangements in order to improve the ability of the system to support its own strategy for reform. To have an impact on the implementation of SIAP 2015, the RIA would have to be implemented in as little as two months.

A noteworthy element of this accelerated approach included the use of eight focus groups instead of more extensive surveys supplemented by face-to-face interviews. Those who managed the focus group meetings made a number of interesting observations, such as that different groups each had their own way of understanding the VET system, their role in the system and the purpose of many of its sub-systems. For example, some key actors of the system did not fully understand the role of the National Qualifications Framework. There was also a general lack of awareness concerning the need for basic mechanisms such as ‘skills needs assessments’ or ‘observatories of employment and training’. Observations such as these underline the need for communication about change and the reasons behind it, as well as the need to maintain a sustained effort over time.

The 13 recommendations for improving the implementation of SIAP 2015 are all explained in this 2015 RIA report for Georgia.