Upskilling of employees of private enterprises by the Ministry of Development
Through a simple online application, private sector workers wishing to strengthen their skills can register for consultancy, training and certification programmes carried out under the responsibility of the Ministry of Development.
Taking into account the need to employ a skilled workforce with certified knowledge faced by businesses as a result of constant global technological developments, the Special Service for the Management and Implementation of the Industry, Trade and Consumer Protection Sector (EYDE-MEP) of the Ministry of Development has taken over the implementation of the operation as beneficiary: ‘Developing workers’ skills to adapt to the new growth model of the economy’ (MIS code 5131912).
Relaunching Application Platform for Training and Certification Program
The application platform is activated for the second time after September 2022 for all regions as the evaluation of the opening of sections found that the number of successful candidates and runners falls short of the call target.
It should be recalled that the above Act, financed by the European Union (European Social Fund (ESF) and Greece, comprises the following three actions:
- Provision of professional counselling services to beneficiaries through individual sessions (5 sessions per beneficiary).
- Implementation of targeted 120-hour continuous vocational training programmes.
- Certification of knowledge and skills in accordance with the international standard ISO 17024 or EOPPEP Key objective is 16.000 employees in the private sector of the economy, regardless of the sector of employment, to upgrade their knowledge, improve their skills, enhance their professional competence and have passed the certification examination to obtain the corresponding Training Certificate.
The main novelty of the operation is that it links the success of the certification examination to the training allowance by linking the quality element of the action to the outcome. This creates an incentive for trainees to follow the curriculum more closely and actively. At the same time, training providers are encouraged to offer training services and additional services as possible in order to prepare the trainee for the certification tests as effectively as possible.
Comprehensive Training Program: From Information Security to STEM Techniques
The training of participants shall consist of specialised and horizontal disciplines and themes, including:
- Information Systems Security: Trainees will be able to familiarise themselves with authentication and encryption, security of applications, systems and data, emerging IT technologies and digital security, ISO standards in the security of information systems, etc.
- Web Applications Programming: Programme participants will learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
- Digital Marketing and On Line Branding: Beneficiaries will be trained in the analysis of products and services in the Digital Marketing, sustainable business models for information sites, social media objectives and strategic communication and ways to increase followers on social media.
- DPO Data Protection Officer: Trainees will be informed of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679.
- Expert in the use of STEM Techniques and Tools: Teachers can familiarise themselves with basic planning principles and ways to teach programming.
For all the above three actions of the project, it will be possible to implement them remotely using information and communication technologies.
For whom?
Workers in the private sector of the economy shall be entitled to participate in the Act and who must meet the following conditions:
- Be 18 years old or older
- They must be employees in the private sector of the economy with an employment relationship, irrespective of the sector or enterprise in which they are employed.
- They must have at least a compulsory school-leaving certificate (primary school for graduates up to 1980 and a tertiary secondary school for graduates from 1981 onwards).
Seasonal workers in the private sector may also participate even if they receive a special seasonal allowance as workers whose contracts are suspended and are entitled to the special purpose bonus.
In addition, for trainees, provision is made for the payment of an education allowance [EUR 6,00 gross/hour of attendance – including all statutory deductions], subject to the necessary condition for the employee/trainee to participate in the certification examination. The amount of the educational allowance and the manner in which it is paid are linked to participation and success in the certification tests.
How to apply
In order to be eligible to participate in the project, each interested party must complete and submit a single application form in electronic format on the Ministry’s website https://katartisi151.eydevek.gr/ by selecting the form ‘Request to participate’, indicating only one implementing region.
This call will remain in force until the number of successful candidates and successful candidates is reached equal to the number of beneficiaries provided for in Article 2.3 of the call plus 25 %.
Why do workers apply to participate in the scheme?
By participating in the training and certification actions of this innovative action, trainees will not only be able to refine existing knowledge and acquire new digital skills in specialised and horizontal disciplines and modules, but also if they have passed the accreditation examinations to obtain the corresponding training certificate. Through certification they provide an important supply for access to new technologically advanced working environments as the Certificate proves the possession of specialised knowledge.
For more information on the training modules, the beneficiaries’ obligations, the conditions for participation, how to submit applications and supporting documents and the selection procedure for candidates, please refer to the text of the relevant Call.
Information and visuals were extracted from the website of the Ministry of Development.
