Soso Pkhakadze, President of the Business Association of Georgia (BAG), said that over the past three years, the biggest challenge for businesses has been the shortage of labor and skilled personnel, with some sectors experiencing chronic gaps of 20–22%. He noted this reflects structural unemployment, as available workers often lack the skills businesses need.
BAG and Tbilisi City Hall are expanding the “Learn and Work” program, offering over 80 in-demand courses to around 2,000 residents for free. The program tailors training to business needs, helping address workforce shortages.
“Already 15,000 people have completed the program with a 75% employment rate. Its success comes from aligning training with business demand. With budget increases and program expansion this year, more vacancies are expected to be filled by qualified personnel,” Phakade said.
Registration for the spring semester runs from March 17 to April 1, and the minimum participation age has been lowered from 18 to 16 years starting in 2026.
