The Role of Vocational Education in the Development of The Viticulture and Oenology Sector of Georgia
Authors: Natia Gorgadze Natia Gorgadze 
Published: October 2021

Today, the viticulture and oenology sector in Georgia has a fair potential for development. According to the statistical data, the income from the wine production is growing year by year for the country.
Maintaining the growing potential of productivity in the viticulture and oenology sector is linked to the stable quality of grape and wine. The skilled workforce represents one of the essential components for ensuring production of high-quality products. Vocational trainings can provide both, the prospective and existing employees of the viticulture and oenology sector with the possibility to develop necessary skills.
Moreover, each country has its own unique cultural, economic and social aspects that have to be taken into consideration in the process of assessing and reforming the country's educational potential. Numerous countries rely on the "mixed systems" that combine different types of work-based learning, including school-based vocational education and dual vocational education programs.
However, in view of international best practice, dual programs are considered to be the best mode of instruction for vocational programs in the direction of viticulture and oenology.
Introduction of work-based learning with the so called dual vocational education programs by the state in recent years, can be considered as a step forward in this direction.
Also, the state offers short-term vocational education programs within the framework of close cooperation with the private sector.
The viticulture and oenology sector is the first, together with the tourism sector, to be recognized as a priority by the state, therefore the training of students with dual vocational education programs has been piloted.
In summary, for a vocational student, dual vocational education programs involve pursuing studies at a vocational education institution, where a student takes a theoretical course on a future profession, as well as a practical course necessary for acquiring practical and technical skills for the profession. This form of teaching provides more opportunities for deepening the public-private partnerships in education. On the one hand, it helps to reduce budgetary expenditures of the state and, on the other hand, allows the system to receive additional financial as well as intangible benefits. The interest of the private sector to participate in the educational process is multifaceted. However, one of the main reasons for the interest is possibility to hire experienced workforce in the future. Increasing the private sector involvement and delegating responsibilities to the private sector by the state represents a good opportunity to train/retrain qualified staff. This factor can be considered as a prerequisite for matching workforce demand and supply on the labor market. Training of highly qualified staff guarantees reduction of unemployment and poverty and ensures sustainable economic development of the country.
Keywords: vocational education, dual vocational education programs, work-based learning, viticulture and oenology sector.