Skills Development Committee is established by the Board of the European Business Association Georgia. Committee provides a platform for expert discussion and exchange of professional experience in the field of vocational education/skilling.
The Committee shall act within its authority in accordance with Georgian Legislation, the European Business Association Charter, and Board decisions, as well as the standards set forth in this Statute.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMITTEE
The aim is to facilitate a direct linkage between vocational education/skilling needs and high-value employment opportunities, especially in the regions of Georgia.
The Committee shall have the following objectives:
- Assessment of sector wide skills needs;
- To represent, communicate with and gather feedback from employees and employers on skills development matters;
- Evaluation of the model and sustainability measures;
- Develop and implement external and internal skills development strategies.
Ekaterina Meskhidze – The head of EBA Skills Development Committee
Ekaterina Meskhidze is a Project Manager with extensive working experience in various international organisations, academia civil and public sector, with a strong portfolio of over 15 successfully managed large-scale projects funded by EU, GIZ, Sida, WB, etc., aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, policy, and strategic development in the fields of economy and SME development, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, ICT and e-governance, good governance, education, gender equality and inclusivity, etc. working with central, regional, and local government, implementing change processes to deliver more efficient public services and improve the living conditions, promote socio-economic development and institutional effectiveness, to ensure safety and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Georgia, better protection of social and economic rights, and enhance human security and the environment.
In 2022-2024, under her leadership together with the European Business Association (EBA) and its member partner companies successfully implemented the USAID Industry-led Skills Development Program grant projects designing a partnership with the private sector to produce industry-relevant human capacity contributing to high-value employment opportunities and increased economic competitiveness in Georgia, and the first committee – Skills Development Committee was established under the EBA, which currently proposes similar services for the EBA member companies in upskilling their personnel and support in eliminating the gap of the professional workforce in the labour market, based on the lessons learnt and experience.
Besides, she was a part of the major reforms carried out by the government of Georgia for sustainable economic development and Georgia`s European integration and gained valuable experience in an international and national environment. She has a large professional network and is experienced in handling international, local, and regional negotiations, coordinating and cooperating with diverse stakeholders, including donors, government officials, businesses, sectoral associations, and civil society organizations.
She was a Bureau Member of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – Working Party on Land Administration (UNECE WPLA) from 2009 to 2016, contributing to the promotion and improvement of land administration and land management; widening usage of geospatial data for spatial planning and urban development, sustainable land use policies, and housing and land management country profiles in the UNECE region to respond to a changing environment and emerging needs and contribute to Agenda 2030.
In addition to her project management work, currently, she is a PhD candidate in Human Geography, Social and Political Sciences at Tbilisi State University.