Acquiring work experience for vocational education graduates in Greece

Abstract

Work Experience for Technical Education Graduates was a programme launched in Greece to provide education, vocational counselling and work experience to people aged up to 29 years who resided in regions of the highest youth unemployment. It was organised and managed by a consortium of social partners established for the purpose. Enterprises were given the opportunity to employ graduates as interns to extend their workforce and to benefit from fresh ideas. The programme was quite a complex one with very limited time available (just under one year). There is some evidence nevertheless of positive effects on various levels although it is too early to assess the numbers and sustainability of new jobs created.