For the development of a competitive private sector, the program supports the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative needs for skilled personnel, appropriate training providers in developing new vocational training curricula and revising existing ones, and furthermore the improvement of their teaching and management methods adapting them to sector-specific international standards. In actual reform processes the three countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia realized, that establishing a solid systematic approach for pre- and in-service education and training of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)teaching personnel is crucial to address demands of business sector in Human Resources Development as a core element for enterprise and employment promotion.
To address the gaps in existing institutional and individual competencies in realizing modern TVET teaching processes the GIZ Regional Program on Private Sector Development jointly with GIZ’s Academy for International Cooperation (AIZ) and its Centre for Competence Development in TVET / UNEVOC Centre Magdeburg developed with the involvement of the University Magdeburg a comprehensive Human Capacity Development program “Master Trainer in TVET” with the objective to qualify 17 multipliers from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The modular structured training program is implemented partly in Tiflis, Georgia, as well as in Germany, combining a variety of learning formats, internships and supported by digital tools via Global Campus 21. After successful completion of the program participants can achieve up to 60 ECTS credits, which can be transferred in a complete Master Degrees study program.
Representatives from Ministries of Education and related institutions and Universities of the three countries discussed in a Workshop in Magdeburg on July 7, 2016 possible scenarios and requirements for developing and setting up joint Master Degree study programs in continuation of the ongoing program “Master Trainer in TVET” for the national capacity development in TVET Teacher Education and Training.
By signing a Memorandum of Understanding, the Georgian Technical University, the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Georgia, the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, GIZ Academy for International Cooperation / UNEVOC Centre Magdeburg and GIZ Program Private Sector Development South Caucasus agreed to cooperate in the field of developing a Master Degree Study program on International Technical Vocational Education and Training for TVET teachers. It was agreed between participants of the workshop – after and during piloting the model in Georgia - to extend this cooperation approach to Armenia and Azerbaijan. The discussed thematic issues as well as the framework of regional cooperation are very much in line with overall international agendas as the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG), the Agenda 2030 and others.
Article by Marita Riedel, Program Director “Private Sector Development South Caucasus”.
