How Tech Transformation Creates New Opportunities for Women Interview with Tina Koberidze, Deputy Strategic Director at GPI Holding

Technological progress is reshaping industry, creating new demands and opportunities throughout the labor market. In this changing landscape, involving women and realizing their full potential is not just a matter of gender equality, it is a prerequisite for building a high-level professional workforce.

What barriers do women face in their careers? What role should businesses play in supporting them? And how does the dominance of technology in the business open professional opportunities for women? Entrepreneur discussed these topics with Tina Koberidze, Deputy Strategic Development Director at GPI Holding.

"Today, technology is no longer a separate sector: it has become an integral part of every industry," she explains. "Yet public awareness is still a few steps behind this fast-moving process. Many still associate the tech sphere with coding, software development or complex mathematics alone. In reality, a career in tech is much broader, covering areas like product development, user experience, marketing, business innovation, data analysis and process automation. As companies seek to strengthen their technological foundations, the need for digital skills is growing across all roles. This transformation has opened countless doors, allowing women to reskill and explore entirely new career paths."

According to Koberidze, stereotypes often emerge in the school years, requiring a multifaceted approach to overcome them.

"The turning point for career choices happens in the final years of school. Unfortunately, students are often stereotypically categorized: tech is seen as being only for those with mathematical skills, and not for people with a background in the humanities,' she says. "Students need to understand early on that every field is now compatible with technology, and even more important: that it actually depends on it. Schools should provide clear information about market demands, career paths, and the real needs of industry today."

In the modern world, specialized knowledge can be acquired well after formal university education. Reskilling plays a vital role, allowing professionals from various fields to upgrade their digital skills, or even to switch careers. Responsible companies are now focused on creating supportive ecosystems where employees are motivated to grow.

"At GPI Holding, the tech direction is constantly expanding. Our team includes a wide range of specialists, from testers and Agile experts to Product Owners," Koberidze notes.

Their approach is built on several key principles:

Access to Education: The company finances tuition and certification. As members of the Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), GPI Holding's employees have access to international programs and e-learning courses.

Internal Rotation: If an employee from another department wants to move into tech, they provide full support for that transition.

Equality and Flexibility: Following VIG principles, GPI Holding's hiring and promotion decisions are never based on gender.

"We also offer a hybrid work model, which is particularly important for women. It allows them to adjust their schedules to balance their careers with family, studies, or personal interests," Koberidze tells us.

Supports and Benefits: GPI Holding fully funds maternity leave, a benefit that is not yet standard across the entire Georgian labor market.

GPI Holding's corporate culture is clearly designed to provide women with multiple opportunities for self-realization. By creating a work environment that aligns with personal and family life, while prioritizing technological growth, GPI Holding continues to support a landscape where women's professional advancement is a top priority.