Master of my House Georgia

Since 2018, IWO has been working to expand vocational training programmes in Georgia through its project series Master of My House. The initiative places a particular focus on young people, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees in Abkhazia, helping them improve their employment prospects by acquiring practical skills in the building sector. The projects are implemented in cooperation with the Georgian partner organisations Charity Humanitarian Centre Abkhazeti (CHCA) and the International Education and Development Academy (IEDA). Technical expertise is provided by various German partner organisations. The projects are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) under its programme Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia.

Georgia has a high demand for skilled professionals in building management and construction. At the same time, vocational training opportunities in these fields remain scarce at Georgian vocational schools. The Master of My House project series aims to establish vocational training pathways in the building sector based on the German model of dual vocational education and training.

In 2019, the project developed an officially recognised vocational qualification for building caretakers, which was introduced at three vocational schools: Construct 2 in Zestaponi, New Wave in Kobuleti and Black Sea in Batumi. Initially, the training focused on topics such as sustainable building management and maintenance. Technical expertise was contributed by the European Educational Centre for the Housing and Real Estate Industry (EBZ) and Hanse Parlament e.V. To date, more than 60 people have completed the training programme. In addition, over 400 people have received counselling on vocational education and career opportunities.

The training content has been continuously developed throughout the project series to reflect changing labour market needs in Georgia. The current project phase focuses on green technologies. In cooperation with the Berlin-Brandenburg regional association of the German Solar Energy Society (DGS), training courses for solar energy technicians are being developed and introduced. The vocational school Iberia in Kutaisi has also joined the project as a new partner.

Since the launch of the project series, Master of My House has also been active in Abkhazia. In cooperation with local NGOs, a vocational training centre for young people was established in Gali to create local economic opportunities. In addition, young people from Abkhazia are regularly selected to participate in vocational training programmes in the construction and housing sectors in Georgian-controlled territories. These cross-border training activities have significantly improved the employment and income situation of 76 young Abkhazians. The project has also established a social enterprise that carries out maintenance and repair work on public buildings and social facilities.

More recently, the current project has expanded its activities to include high school students. Through the establishment of the Kutaisi Climate Club, young people are being encouraged to engage with climate change and environmental protection. The initiative also introduces them to career opportunities in the sustainability sector.