Vocational Education in GreeceVocational Education in Greece

Model Zosimaia Junior High School ofModel Zosimaia Junior High School of IoanninaIoannina

The Greek educational systemThe Greek educational system

In Greece schooling is compulsory for all children aged 5 to 15.

It consists of primary (kindergarten and primary school) and lower secondary education (gymnasio).

The Greek educational systemThe Greek educational system

After lower secondary education students can choose between:

(a) general education, or

(b) vocational education.

Students who wish to continue in general education attend a general upper secondary school (lykeio),

for three years.

The Greek educational systemThe Greek educational system

Alternatively, students can choose to attend vocational education, which includes:

(a) vocational upper secondary school

(b) vocational training outside the formal education system.

VVocational upper secondaryocational upper secondary schoolsschools

They can be either public or private, day or evening schools.

The minimum age for students to enroll in a vocational evening school is 16.

VVocational upper secondaryocational upper secondary schoolsschools

The programmes are organised by sector, group and specialty. The sectors include information

science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering/electronics/automation, construction, environment and natural resources, administration

and economics, agronomy-food technology and nutrition, and occupations in the merchant marine.

VVocational upper secondaryocational upper secondary schoolsschools

Programmes at vocational upper secondary school can lead to two levels:

(a) a three-year programme;

(b) an additional ‘apprenticeship year’.

Initial formal vocational education: Initial formal vocational education: vocational upper secondaryvocational upper secondary schoolsschools

Students who complete an upper secondary programme get a vocational upper secondary school leaving certificate, which is equivalent to the general

upper secondary school leaving certificate, and a specialisation diploma at European qualifications

framework (EQF) level 4.

Non-formal VET: vocational training schools Non-formal VET: vocational training schools (SEK), post-secondary(SEK), post-secondary V VET schools (IEK), ET schools (IEK),

colleges and lifelong learning centres (LLC)colleges and lifelong learning centres (LLC)

‘Non-formal’ education includes initial vocational training, continuous vocational training and adult

learning.

Vocational training schoolsVocational training schools

They provide initial vocational training to compulsory education graduates.

The programmes have a duration of three years, with the last year being apprenticeship.

In this year, workshop lessons are combined with workplace learning.

Programmes in post-secondary VET schoolsProgrammes in post-secondary VET schools

These public and private institutions offer initial vocational training mostly for graduates of upper

secondary schools in order to prepare them for the transition to the labour market.

Programmes in post-secondary VET schoolsProgrammes in post-secondary VET schools

These programmes last five semesters. The VET schools can focus on a particular sector or offer training in several sectors, such as applied arts,

tourism/transportation, food/beverage, industrial chemistry, etc.

Tertiary level VET programmes in higher Tertiary level VET programmes in higher professional schoolsprofessional schools

These programmes require at least two years of study, but can last up to five years.

They usually include a period of practical training in the workplace.

Continuing vocational education and Continuing vocational education and training: LLCs and other bodiestraining: LLCs and other bodies providing providing

lifelong learninglifelong learning

Continuous vocational training and general adult education is provided by lifelong learning centres.

In addition, colleges offer vocational training programmes.

OAED programmes

The courses organised by OAED (Manpower Employment Organisation) last two school years

(four semesters). They accept students aged 16 to 23 who have completed at least one class of the

upper secondary school.

Other forms of vocational trainingOther forms of vocational training

Social partners organise vocational training programmes for their members and for other groups of citizens:

Such programmes are provided by GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers), by The Hellenic

Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants, The Civil Servants’ Confederation, and the

National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce.

BibliographyBibliography

CEDEFOP (2014). Vocational education and training in Greece, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the

European Union.

(www.cedefop.europa.eu)

CEDEFOP (2014). Μια ματιά στην επαγγελματική εκπαίδευση και κατάρτιση: Ελλάδα, Ευρωπαϊκό Κέντρο

για την Ανάπτυξη της Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης, Θεσσαλονίκη.