The Jobs Again Reform in Greece

1. Introduction

Abstract

This chapter introduces the context and rationale for Greece’s reform of its continuous vocational education and training (CVET) system. It highlights ongoing challenges, including skills mismatches, quality control, challenges, and the underutilisation of performance data. The chapter situates the reform within broader national and European Union (EU) policy priorities, such as reducing unemployment and supporting the digital and green transitions. It also outlines the OECD’s evaluation objectives, focusing on the reform’s potential to improve training relevance, efficiency, and outcomes, and sets the foundation for the subsequent analysis of quality assurance mechanisms, international comparisons, and policy recommendations.

The continuous vocational education and training (CVET) system in Greece has historically played a crucial role in helping individuals acquire new skills, upskill, or reskill in response to evolving labour market needs. CVET programmes, which are typically designed for adults, offer training that enhances employability, improves career prospects, and facilitates career transitions. They serve a wide range of participants, including unemployed individuals, employees seeking to advance in their careers, and those re-entering the workforce.

However, despite its importance, the Greek CVET system has faced several challenges in recent years. One of the key issues has been the disconnect between training programmes and the real needs of the labour market. Many of the CVET programmes currently being offered are not closely aligned with sectors experiencing skill shortages or emerging industries, which has contributed to a skills mismatch and limited job opportunities for participants after completing their training. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the quality and effectiveness of the training provided, with insufficient mechanisms in place to evaluate the performance of both the training providers and the programmes themselves. As OECD (2024[1]) underscores, robust quality assurance in adult education and training is vital for ensuring that these programmes truly address skill gaps, deliver meaningful returns for learners and the broader economy, and foster greater trust in the overall adult learning system.

Another significant challenge is the lack of accountability and transparency within the CVET system. Public funds are often allocated to training providers without clear performance criteria, and there are limited measures in place to assess whether the training results in tangible outcomes, such as improved employability or job placement. This practice, which does not provide adequate incentives for providers to improve the quality of their programmes, has led to inefficiencies in the use of resources. In addition, the CVET system lacks digital infrastructure to effectively manage and track training data, making it difficult to monitor participants’ progress and outcomes.

Recognising these challenges, the Greek government introduced a comprehensive reform under Law 4921/2022, known as “Jobs Again”. This reform seeks to overhaul the CVET system to better align it with the current and future demands of the labour market, enhance the quality of training, and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

The reform takes place in a broader context of socio-economic transformation in Greece. The country has faced persistently high unemployment rates, especially among younger workers, and a growing need to modernise its workforce in response to the digital and green transitions. These challenges have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated changes in the labour market, highlighting the need for greater flexibility and adaptability in vocational training. Additionally, Greece's efforts to align its policies with European Union objectives on skills development and lifelong learning provided further incentives for the reform. The reform responds directly to EU initiatives that emphasise the need for digital and green skills, as well as the importance of continuous learning throughout people's career.

In summary, the reform of the CVET system in Greece is taking place within the context of persistent unemployment, skills mismatches, and the need to adapt to technological advancements and global economic changes. The reform represents a significant effort to modernise the country’s vocational training infrastructure, making it more responsive to labour market demands and ensuring that participants acquire the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.

The OECD has conducted an evaluation of the “Jobs Again” reform with the aim of identifying areas for improvement that could strengthen the reform’s contribution to Greece’s skills system. The focus of this evaluation is to assess the quality assurance mechanisms introduced by the reform, particularly in the relation to performance-based accountability, oversight of training providers, and alignment with the labour market. While recognising the broad scope of the reform, the report concentrates on key dimensions that are critical to its capacity to improve training quality and support effective upskilling and reskilling.

This report draws on the OECD’s international expertise in skills, VET and adult learning systems and is based on document analysis, structured interviews with key stakeholders, and a comparative review of international practices. It offers an independent and evidence-based assessment of the reform’s design and early implementation. Chapter 2 outlines the main features of the reform, including the modernisation of the Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA) and the introduction of a digitalised, performance-based funding model. Chapter 3 introduces the five-dimension framework used to assess the reform and guide the analysis. Chapter 4 provides a detailed assessment of the reform’s quality assurance mechanisms across five core dimensions. Chapter 5 offers international case studies to contextualise the Greek approach, and Chapter 6 presents targeted recommendations to strengthen implementation and improve alignment with labour market needs.

Reference

[1] OECD (2024), Quality Matters: Strengthening the Quality Assurance of Adult Education and Training, OECD Skills Studies, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/f44a185b-en.