Digital and green skills upgrading programmes by the Public Employment Service

• May 27, 2022
• neelam

In a rapidly changing labour market, upskilling is more needed than ever and is an important active employment policy. This is why the Public Employment Service (PESA) is planning programmes for upskilling and retraining of 80,000 unemployed people in high-demand sectors with a focus on digital and green skills. The programmes aim to effectively link training to labour market needs and enhance the employability of the unemployed for faster reintegration into employment.

The main innovations of the new programmes are:

• universities are given a central role in training: For the first time, the unemployed are given access to training courses offered by universities, in particular the Education and Lifelong Learning Centres (KEDIVIM) of HEIs, through a specific call addressed only to public universities. Universities will manage 50 % of the total budget in this 1st phase

• offering a wide range of options on modern high-demand training subjects: Unlike programmes promoted so far, which were essentially of a more ‘traditional’ nature, beneficiaries can choose between a multitude of training programmes in high-demand sectors, with a focus on digital and green skills.

• the payment of providers and beneficiaries is linked to certification. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs introduces the result-based payment methodology (Payment by Results) to ensure efficiency and optimal use of the Recovery Fund (30 % of the amount to which providers and trainees are entitled will only be paid after certification)

• raising the quality and attractiveness of programmes by emphasising certification by major international technology companies providing — through third parties — recognised digital skills certifications

• the introduction of stricter criteria for the participation of the Centres for Lifelong Learning (CVL) in the programme, including the acquisition of additional international ISO certificates

• the examination of the training material by an independent body shall: This ensures the quality of the educational material on the basis of up-to-date quality standards, which will be checked by a qualified independent body.

• the selection of a certification body by the trainees themselves and not by the training providers, so that the beneficiaries choose the certificate they want.

• the register of programmes and the participation of the unemployed will remain ‘open’ until the budget is exhausted, i.e. beneficiaries will be able to join the programme at any time and choose from a wide range of training courses that are constantly enriched.

Added value of the programmes

The new programmes of the Public Employment Service mark the upgrading of the continuing vocational training of the unemployed, with targeted interventions throughout the process and the bodies involved (trainers, certification providers, trainees, etc.). This ensures at the same time:

• a wide range of training programmes (including those of large IT companies with a high demand on the labour market) ensuring the quality of their content.

• the unemployed person is free to choose the training programme, the time chosen, the training provider and the certification provider.

• Qualitative upgrading of training providers by increasing the number of pre-requisites required for private KLMIs and the participation of KEDIVIMs of HEIs.

 The total budget of the actions is in the order of EUR 100 million financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Fund.  

Information: https://www.oaed.gr/ksekinoun-simera-19052022-oi-aitiseis-parokhon-pistopiisis-ghia-simmetokhi-stis-nees-draseis-anavathmisis-deksiotiton-80000-anerghon