We recently sat down with one of GETA’s founding members and current President, Sandro Bakhsoliani, to discuss the motivation behind starting the association and its key goals and priorities going forward.

What originally motivated you to create GETA for the electrical industry? What core needs were you looking to address?

We noticed overlapping ideas on issues and future possibilities facing the electrical trade in Georgia. Key needs we aimed to address: provide an industry voice for participants of all sizes, advocate for quality vocational and higher education, support adoption of technical standards to improve system safety and workplace conditions. Ultimately, we want a platform where ideas drive industry development and improvement.

How long did it take to formally establish the association? What were some key milestones along the way?

After initial discussions at a trade fair, we soon began evening and weekend working meetings to flesh out the vision and governance structure. Within a couple months we formalized concepts into a nonprofit charter. Key milestones since include productive meetings with the Ministry of Economy, international organizations like GIZ, and the German Ambassador.

What do you see as GETA’s top 3 priority focus areas and objectives in its first few years?

Our top priorities are technical standards adoption, education, and safety.

How will you define success for GETA over the 5-10 years? What does that success look like?

Major successes would be: Effective implementation of internationally accepted technical standards; Building a thriving innovation community across the industry.

What challenges lie ahead and how can members help drive faster progress?

Reaching more industry participants is key to driving progress. Becoming a member and engaging us as much as possible are the best ways to get involved.

How can interested electrical companies and professionals engage with and contribute to GETA’s vision?

Please visit our website to learn more about our vision. We provide events, market updates, and legislative change alerts to members. Specialized committees that interface with lawmakers and institutions will also form in time.

How does Georgia’s electrical industry need to adapt to rapid technological advancements?

As grids modernize, new technologies bring challenges. It’s vital we strategize future growth in an open, inclusive way. Georgia has a strong talent pool to meet demand abroad, but domestic standards and practices must develop first.

Why should those working in this industry join GETA? What’s the value?

We are a non-commercial entity governed by an elected board with open elections. Members benefit from events, market updates, engagement with international organizations, and a chance to shape the industry’s future.

In Conclusion

GETA aims to give all electrical industry participants a voice and platform to drive positive change. By coming together, we can advocate for key priorities like standards, education, and safety that will allow Georgia’s electrical sector to thrive for years to come. We invite everyone passionate about advancing the industry to join us.