1. Vocational Education in GreeceVocational Education in Greece
Model Zosimaia Junior High School ofModel Zosimaia Junior High School of
IoanninaIoannina
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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’.
8. 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.
9. Non-formal VET: vocational training schoolsNon-formal VET: vocational training schools
(SEK), post-secondary(SEK), post-secondary VVET 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Tertiary level VET programmes in higherTertiary 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.
14. Continuing vocational education andContinuing vocational education and
training: LLCs and other bodiestraining: LLCs and other bodies providingproviding
lifelong learninglifelong learning
Continuous vocational training and general adult
education is provided by lifelong learning centres.
In addition, colleges offer vocational training
programmes.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
