This chapter outlines the main features of Greece’s continuous vocational education and training (CVET) reform introduced under the 2022 “Jobs Again” law. It highlights major policy changes designed to enhance quality, accountability, and alignment with labour market needs, including the establishment of individual learning accounts, the adoption of a performance-based funding model, and the rollout of a digital management platform. The chapter also describes the creation of a national registry of eligible training providers, underpinned by rigorous eligibility criteria and outcome-based evaluations. Together, these measures aim to modernise the CVET system, promote transparency, and ensure that public funds support high-impact training aligned with the evolving needs of the Greek economy.
2. Overview of the “Jobs Again” reform
Copy link to 2. Overview of the “Jobs Again” reformAbstract
The “Jobs Again” reform aims to modernise DYPA, Greece’s Public Employment Service, and strengthen its management of continuous vocational education and training (CVET) programmes to achieve tangible results such as boosting employability and addressing key skills gaps.
To achieve these goals, the reform introduces measures to enhance the quality of CVET, emphasising transparency, accountability, and alignment with labour market requirements.
A key feature of the reform is the introduction of a performance-based accountability framework. This framework ensures that training providers are held accountable for the outcomes they deliver, with regular evaluations based on key performance indicators such as employment rates, participant satisfaction, and employer feedback, rather than traditional input measures like course duration. By linking funding to performance, the reform aims to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the training programmes offered.
Transparency and accountability will be further strengthened by setting clear eligibility standards for training providers, including certifications such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 27001 for data security. Providers will undergo regular evaluations to maintain these standards, with non-compliance leading to potential removal from the registry of approved providers.
The reform also seeks to ensure that CVET programmes are aligned with the real needs of the labour market. In collaboration with the National Skills Council, the Public Employment Service (DYPA) will conduct regular analyses of labour market trends and skill shortages. This will help to ensure that training programmes are not only relevant but also adaptable to the shifting demands of the economy. For example, particular emphasis will be placed on training in digital and green skills, reflecting the growing importance of these areas in both the Greek and global labour markets. By aligning training with current and future labour market needs, the reform aims to reduce unemployment and underemployment while supporting economic growth.
A significant innovation introduced by the reform is the creation of individual learning accounts for all participants seeking training under subsidised programmes. These accounts will allow individuals to accumulate subsidised training rights over time, giving them the flexibility to choose training that best suits their career development needs. Managed through a digital platform, these accounts will ensure that participants have full transparency regarding their training entitlements, helping them make informed decisions about their education and career progression. This platform will also facilitate the management of training, consulting, and certification services, ensuring that participants can easily access the services they need.
Finally, the reform seeks to improve the overall management and efficiency of the CVET system by leveraging digital technologies. A new digital platform will be developed to manage the entire training process, from registration and course delivery to certification and post-training follow-up. This platform will enable seamless data exchange between training providers, participants, and government agencies, ensuring that the system is both efficient and transparent. Additionally, the platform will allow for real-time tracking of training outcomes, enabling continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of CVET programmes. This will help to ensure that public funds are used efficiently, and that the system as a whole is responsive to the needs of both participants and the economy.
Main changes introduced by the reform
Copy link to Main changes introduced by the reformThe Law 4921/2022 introduces a series of significant changes designed to overhaul the continuous vocational education and training (CVET) system in Greece. The primary objectives of these changes are to enhance the quality of training programmes, strengthen accountability, and ensure better alignment with the evolving needs of the labour market. These reforms are backed by a comprehensive regulatory framework, ensuring structured implementation. The combination of individualised learner funding, digital monitoring tools, and outcome-based provider management represents a forward-looking and innovative approach to CVET reform aimed at enhancing effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. Below is a detailed explanation of the key changes introduced by the reform.
Creation of individual learning accounts (ILAs)
A major innovation introduced by the reform is the establishment of individual learning accounts for all participants seeking training under subsidised programmes. These accounts are designed to give beneficiaries control over their training opportunities and ensure that they have access to relevant, high-quality programmes that match their career aspirations.
Participants can use these accounts to:
Accumulate training rights over time, allowing them to access additional training as needed throughout their careers. This flexible approach ensures that individuals can continue to upskill and reskill in line with changing labour market demands.
Select providers from the national registry, ensuring that they can choose high-quality training programmes that meet their specific needs.
Track their progress through a digital platform, which integrates with the broader management system established by DYPA. This platform provides real-time information on the availability of courses, the progress of participants, and the outcomes of their training.
The introduction of individual learning accounts is part of a broader effort to modernise the management of CVET programmes and to ensure that participants have full transparency and control over their educational and career development.
Integration of labour market needs into training programmes
Under the reform, all subsidised CVET programmes must be aligned with the current and future needs of the labour market. This alignment is achieved through regular labour market analyses, conducted by DYPA in collaboration with the National Skills Council. These analyses help identify emerging skill gaps and areas of high demand in the economy, particularly in fields related to digital transformation and green technologies.
Providers are expected to design and deliver training programmes that address these skill shortages, ensuring that participants are equipped with the knowledge and abilities necessary to succeed in the evolving labour market. Failure to align training with market demands can result in providers losing their eligibility for subsidies, further reinforcing the focus on outcomes and relevance.
Digitalisation of the CVET system
The reform places a strong emphasis on the digitalisation of the CVET system. A new digital platform will be developed to manage all aspects of the training process, from provider registration and course delivery to post-training follow-up and certification. This platform will:
Streamline the administrative processes for both providers and participants, reducing bureaucracy and improving the efficiency of the system.
Enable real-time data exchange between training providers, participants, and DYPA, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to up-to-date information on training programmes and outcomes.
Provide participants with a user-friendly interface to manage their individual learning accounts, track their progress, and access relevant training opportunities.
This digital infrastructure is designed to support the reform’s broader goal of improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the CVET system. By leveraging technology, the Greek government aims to create a more responsive and flexible training system that can quickly adapt to the changing needs of the labour market.
Creation of the Registry of Eligible Providers
One of the most important changes is the establishment of a Registry of Eligible Providers for subsidised CVET programmes under the new ILA scheme. This registry is created in accordance with Article 37 of Law 4921/2022 and is a crucial element of the new quality assurance system.
Under the new reform, all training providers will need to undergo an initial licensing process overseen by EOPPEP (National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance), which operates under the Ministry of Education. This accreditation process, based on the national quality assurance framework for vocational education and training, will serve as the first quality filter for training providers.
In addition to this requirement, training providers must meet a set of eligibility criteria that are rigorously defined in the regulation FEK B 3703/2022. These criteria ensure that only providers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality training are allowed to participate in subsidised programmes.
The eligibility requirements include:
Quality certifications: Providers must have certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems) to demonstrate their ability to manage and deliver high-quality training programmes. Additionally, they must hold ISO 27001:2013 (Information Security Management) to ensure that data handling and privacy are managed securely.
Capability requirements: Providers must have the capacity to deliver e-learning, blended learning, and traditional in-person training. They must demonstrate the ability to create educational content, train instructors, manage practical training, and follow-up with trainees post-programme to ensure the effectiveness of the training.
Data management and monitoring: Providers must maintain a comprehensive system for tracking participants, including their progress and outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability in the training process. This system must integrate with the broader digital infrastructure established by the reform to allow real-time monitoring of the programmes.
Providers are also subject to continuous evaluation. Those that fail to meet performance standards may be removed from the registry, losing their eligibility to offer subsidised training. This approach ensures that only high-performing providers remain in the system, raising the overall quality of training available to participants.
Removal from the Registry
Building on the initial accreditation process, DYPA will establish a Registry of Eligible Providers for subsidised CVET programmes. Admission to this registry will require providers not only to be accredited by EOPPEP but also to comply with performance-based quality criteria set by DYPA. These criteria are designed to ensure that public funding is allocated to providers that effectively prepare participants for the labour market.
The reform introduces a performance-based funding model, where providers are evaluated against specific key performance indicators (KPIs). These indicators prioritise labour market outcomes, programme quality, and stakeholder satisfaction. Providers who fail to meet at least three of the five core KPIs (see below) will be removed from the registry for two years, losing eligibility for public funding. If, after this period, they reapply and continue to underperform, they will face an additional two-year removal.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) and conditions for removal
Providers will be assessed based on the following KPIs:
1. Employment Rate: At least 50% of unemployed trainees must secure employment within 12 months of programme completion.
2. Job Retention: At least 90% of trained workers must remain employed for a minimum of 12 months post-training.
3. Participant Satisfaction: At least 75% of trainees must evaluate the programme positively, based on post-training surveys.
4. Employer Satisfaction: At least 75% of employers engaged in training programmes must provide positive feedback.
5. Certification Rate: At least 80% of trainees who complete the programme must obtain a formal certification.