“New employment scheme to start December 5”

A new government-sponsored employment program which is aimed at providing employment for some 100 000 Georgians will be launched on December 5, according to the newspaper Akhali Taoba.

The Economic Development Minister, Giorgi Arveladze, and Davit Tkeshelashvili, the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, discussed the program at a press briefing on November 27.

They called on companies to offer three-month, government-sponsored apprenticeships, which are meant to give unemployed Georgians a marketable skills-set.

“The registration of those companies taking part in the scheme is currently under way. 20 000 vacancies have already been confirmed. I’d like to see all private businesses sign up for the program to help employ even more people,” Arveladze said.

“The new program will enable participants to raise their qualification level and increase their chances of finding a job,” he added.



“Georgians pleased with education sector reforms”

Surveys conducted in September reveal that 68 percent of the population is happy with the ongoing education sector reforms, according to the newspaper Rezonansi.

Respondents were pleased with the rehabilitation of school buildings and the increased provision of IT facilities in classrooms.

Most respondents said they felt the establishment of National Entrance Exams was the most successful reform passed by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Entrance exams had made the application procedure more objective and transparent, and increased applicants’ motivation, they said.

A total of 1400 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, which was conducted by the Education Ministry.



“Nestan Kirtadze: Allow Patarkatsishvili to return!”

Labor Party representatives have demanded that the Georgian business tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili be permitted to return to Georgia to run his election campaign, Akhali Taoba reports.

“We have consulted international organizations, and have asked them to put pressure on the Georgian government to allow Patarkatsishvili to come back,” Labor Party representative Nestan Kirtadze told journalists.

Another party representative, Soso Shatberashvili, said they had been contacted by Russian diplomats who wanted to discuss bilateral issues.



“News Corporation official meets Imedi TV staff”

News Corporation Executive Vice President Martin Pompadur met with Imedi TV staff at the Hotel Tbilisi Marriott on November 27, according to Sakartvelos Respublika.

During the meeting, Giorgi Targamadze, head of political programs at Imedi, criticized the recent decision of the popular anchors Inga Grigolia and Eka Khoperia to leave Imedi TV.

Imedi TV was founded by the influential business tycoon and presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili.

Police shut the station down on November 7 after the government crackdown on protestors, amid claims that it was airing statements encouraging the overthrow of the administration.