The Significance and Value of Professional Development
Career growth in civil service is rooted in fair systems of professional development and assessment. Professional development is an ongoing process within organizations and plays a vital role in ensuring the workforce's capacity to meet institutional needs. It encompasses equipping employees with knowledge, skills, modern practices, and values that align with and support the strategic goals of public institutions.
To foster the professional growth of civil servants and impart both foundational and specialized knowledge, it is essential to continuously invest in the development of their competencies, as well as their professional, technical, and social skills. This approach not only enhances individual capabilities but also strengthens the merit-based and success-oriented nature of civil service.
Professional development is a central pillar of civil service reform. The Law on Public Service addresses key issues such as access to professional development opportunities, mandatory participation in training programs, the active involvement of public institutions in this process, and the creation of enabling environments for civil servants’ professional growth.
In particular, Decree No. 242 of the Government of Georgia, on the Approval of the Rules for Determining the Professional Development Needs of Professional Civil Servants, the Standards for Professional Development, and the Rules for the Determination of Professional Development, establishes guidelines for identifying professional development needs, setting standards for mandatory training, and ensuring quality control of these programs.
The professional development cycle, as defined by the Government of Georgia, consists of four key stages:
- Analysis of Professional Development Needs;
- Planning Professional Development Activities;
- Implementation of Professional Development;
- Evaluation of Professional Development.
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