(civil.ge) - President Saakashvili said that the Economy Ministry will be in charge of the state-funded internship programs from 2007 in order to further increase the effectiveness of the initiative, which officials say has already helped 10 000 citizens find jobs.
The program, which was launched in September 2006 under the supervision of the Social and Healthcare Ministry, provided GEL 450 to each participant during three-month internships in various businesses, reports Trend.
Over 35 000 citizens participated in the program, officials say.
And at least 10 000 people have already received permanent jobs after the internship program, Lado Chipashvili, the Social and Healthcare Minister, told the President during a meeting on December 8.
Over GEL 20 million was spent on this program and it means that the creation of one job was worth GEL 2 000, he added.
Each enterprise that is providing new jobs needs encouragement from the state. We need those people who provide new jobs - those who provide new jobs are our friends and friends of the country. And I want to create a new medal with which those people who have employed the most people will be awarded. We have military-related medals and now we have to encourage those who fight on the economic front, because this [economy] is the frontline of our defense, Saakashvili said.
Saakashvili was speaking at a meeting with the Social and Healthcare Minister and Economy Minister Giorgi Arveladze in Elmavalmshenebeli, an electric locomotive factory which was hailed by the President as a leader in providing new jobs in the frames of the state-funded internship program.