Closing the Global Skills Gap: An Interview with Gigi Giorgadze, CEO of Skillwill
As the world becomes increasingly digital, the demand for qualified IT professionals continues to grow. However, many individuals lack access to the education and training needed to succeed in this rapidly evolving industry. Skillwill, an online IT academy based in Georgia, aims to bridge this skills gap by offering accessible and affordable training to students all over the world. In this interview, we speak with Gigi Giorgadze, CEO of Skillwill, about the company's innovative teaching methods, its plans for expansion, and its role in the larger conversation around education and technology.
What sets Skillwill apart from other IT academies?
Skillwill distinguishes itself in several ways, starting with its geographic accessibility - our courses are available to anyone, no matter where they live, as all our courses are offered through distance learning. Additionally, our courses are financially accessible, costing 3-4 times less than the average market price. We also provide information availability, offering guidance on the opportunities available in the industry and how individuals can utilize them with our assistance. Our three-component training system, featuring lecturers and tutors who provide the highest quality technical knowledge, career care, and networking, further enhances the learning experience. Finally, we provide employment opportunities for our students and graduates, helping them to secure freelancing and permanent positions in the industry.
What innovative teaching methods does Skillwill use to enhance the learning experience for students?
Skillwill employs a number of innovative teaching methods to enhance the learning experience for students. Our lecture format involves an introduction to the topic, followed by a recorded lecture, a quiz, a summary of the lecture, and an open question and answer session with a tutor. This ensures that every minute is utilized effectively for academic purposes. We also utilize senior students as teaching assistants and tutors to help fellow students overcome difficulties. Finally, our three-stage training, which includes academic or technical knowledge, career care, and networking, has proven effective in preparing our students for the industry.
How does Skillwill ensure the quality of its courses and prepare its students for the international job market?
The quality of our courses is guaranteed by our lecturers, who are practical developers with the best experience and a daily connection to the labor market, ensuring that they are up-to-date on technological and technical trends. Additionally, we have implemented a quality assurance process that involves reviewing and testing all lectures prior to delivery to students. Finally, our program, syllabus, and career care module are designed to meet the standards used by leading international companies. Our graduates have a strong understanding of these standards and requirements, which prepares them for the international job market.
What are the current trends in the IT job market in Georgia and how does Skillwill address the increasing demand for qualified personnel?
There is a significant shortage of qualified IT personnel in the Georgian job market. According to the latest statistics, there are 500 job vacancies in the IT sector every month that companies are unable to fill. With many Georgian developers now working as freelancers and an increasing number of foreign companies entering the market, the demand for certain IT skills, such as data science, Java, web development, and design, has increased.
To address this demand, Skillwill offers training programs that focus on providing students with the most in-demand technical skills. We work closely with partner companies to ensure that our graduates are well-positioned for employment opportunities in the IT industry, and we also help them to develop the soft skills needed to succeed in their careers.
How does Skillwill cooperate with companies for further employment of its graduates, and what is the level of demand for Skillwill's students in the public sector?
Skillwill works with various companies through our career rotation collaboration to recommend and place our graduates in employment. We prepare their CVs and issue certificates to ensure that our graduates are recognized for their knowledge and skills. While there is not currently a high demand for Skillwill graduates in the public sector, we do partner with public institutions to provide funding for education, such as our partnership with the City Hall, which has sponsored 500 students.
Skillwill is expanding to other markets in 2023, such as Italy and Mexico. How do you plan to adapt your courses and teaching methods to different cultural and language contexts?
We plan to work with leading local developers in each new market to adapt our courses and teaching methods to the local cultural and linguistic context. Our syllabus are already designed to incorporate international trends, so we do not anticipate making radical changes to our curriculum. However, we will tailor our courses to local languages and specific business practices as needed.
What role do you see Skillwill playing in the larger conversation around education and technology, particularly in the context of the global skills gap?
At Skillwill, we are committed to closing the global skills gap by developing future professionals with the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in the modern job market. We believe that the education sector needs to be agile and responsive to the changing needs of the job market, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this conversation. By providing accessible, high-quality education to students all over the world, we aim to contribute to a more skilled and successful global workforce.
In terms of long-term goals for Skillwill, what would you like to see the company achieve over the next decade?
Our long-term vision for Skillwill is to become a leading player in education, not only in the field of technology and digital education, but in any area where there is a skills gap that needs to be filled. We believe that education is key to addressing the challenges facing the global workforce, and we are committed to making education more accessible and effective for all learners. By expanding our reach and continuing to innovate in our teaching methods and curriculum, we hope to make a significant impact on the world of education and beyond.