This article shines a spotlight on the Greek Ministry of Education, a member of the Alliance, showcasing their innovative apprenticeship programmes. Offering insight into this transformative initiative is Olga Kafetzopoulou, Director for Vocational Education and Training and Lifelong Learning Planning and Development. Ms Kafetzopoulou elaborates on the Ministry's motivations for joining EAfA, highlighting their remarkable achievements and the invaluable benefits derived from their EAfA membership. 

Could you give a short overview of your pledge and which EAfA objectives it relates to? 

The Greek Ministry of Education made a pledge to EAfA, demonstrating our commitment to enhancing apprenticeship opportunities and quality. The pledge aligns with several EAfA objectives. 

• Increasing apprenticeship offers: We aim to expand the availability of apprenticeships across various sectors and industries in the public and private sector, fostering skills development and employment opportunities for youth and adults. 

• Improving apprenticeship quality: The pledge highlights our commitment to improve the quality of apprenticeship programmes, ensuring they align with industry standards. We will offer valuable learning opportunities for participants through the full implementation of the Common Quality Framework in Apprenticeship scheme in Greece. 

• Enhancing social inclusion: By promoting apprenticeships, we will contribute to greater social inclusion by providing pathways to employment for disadvantaged groups, thus reducing inequalities and promoting equal access to opportunities. 

• Strengthening partnerships: We acknowledge the importance of collaboration between public authorities, social partners and other stakeholders in advancing apprenticeship systems. The pledge emphasises establishing and strengthening partnerships to support apprenticeship initiatives. These partnerships refer to governance, design, implementation and evaluation procedures. 

Our pledge to EAfA reflects our commitment to fostering a robust and inclusive apprenticeship system that supports youth employability, skills development, qualifications upgrade and economic growth. 

In which fields does the Ministry offer apprenticeships in? 

We offer apprenticeships in various fields to provide diverse opportunities for skills development and vocational training in an evolving labour market. The key fields in which apprenticeships are offered include: 

• technical and vocational education, which covers a wide range of industries such as engineering, construction, automotive, manufacturing and information technology; 

• service industries such as hospitality, tourism, healthcare and retail; 

• creative industries such as design and arts; 

• agriculture sciences, which include hands-on training and experience in sustainable farming practices and land management; 

• business administration and tourism. 

How did you first hear about EAfA and why did you decide to submit a pledge? 

We first learned about EAfA during the initial meeting in June 2019, where the European Commission informed Member State representatives about the benchlearning process on apprenticeships. We decided to join EAfA as an autonomous entity as we have: 

• submitted an updated national commitment, to which the two relevant Ministries (Education and Labour) and the Hellenic Manpower Employment Organization agreed on specific activities in October 2019; 

• volunteered to participate in the benchlearning process; 

• implemented a new apprenticeship scheme in 2016. 

We then submitted a separate pledge outlining our priorities. 

How has EAfA membership helped the Ministry to facilitate regional collaboration and partnerships across Europe? 

By participating in EAfA events, we engaged with counterparts from other EU Member States, regional authorities, educational institutions, employers and industry associations. These interactions foster meaningful connections, enabling the exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices in apprenticeship development and implementation. 

We also gained access to a wealth of insights, experiences and lessons learned from other countries and regions. As such, this allows us to identify innovative approaches and successful strategies. We were able to learn from the successes and challenges faced by other members, which helped us to avoid potential pitfalls and optimise the implementation of the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class. 

Furthermore, through access to specific webinars and relevant material we could inform other stakeholders, train our colleagues and gain knowledge and experiences in specific topics. 

What opportunities has the Ministry taken to contribute to EAfA activities? 

We have participated in various events and workshops aimed at enhancing apprenticeship programmes. For example, in the 8th EAfA and European Training Foundation (ETF) Seminar (Turin, Italy, October 2023) we had the chance to present the country's adult apprenticeship scheme, focusing on its design, the differences from already existing apprenticeship programmes, the challenges faced after recent reforms and future challenges. 

In the Hybrid Multi-Country Apprenticeship Programme Design Workshop (Brussels, March 2023), we took part in a workshop organised in collaboration with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment and the ETF to design and deliver personalised apprenticeship programmes. 

In the European Youth Year 2022 – Adult Apprenticeship in Greece Event (Athens, November 2022), we delivered a presentation on the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class, highlighting it as a good practice example. Additionally, we participated in a benchlearning activity focusing on enhancing the attractiveness of apprenticeships for Greek employers. 

And finally, in the seminar for EAfA Partner Countries (Belgrade, October 2022), we presented our experience in the benchlearning process. 

By participating in these events, we shared valuable insights, best practices and collaborated with stakeholders to advance apprenticeship programmes both nationally and within the European context. 

How have you promoted EAfA membership to the employers of the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class? 

We have promoted EAfA membership and its advantages by integrating discussions about EAfA into all events attended by stakeholders of the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class. For instance, at the ‘European Year of Youth 2022 – Apprenticeship for adults in Greece,’ an event held by the General Secretariat of Vocational Education and Training and Lifelong Learning in Athens, (November 2022), we presented EAfA and its benefits during presentations and discussions with employers and stakeholders. 

Similarly, at events organised by entities such as the Regional Educational Directorate of Crete in March 2024, representatives of the General Secretariat presented EAfA to employers and regional coordinators of the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class to encourage them to consider joining. By consistently incorporating EAfA discussions into these events, we aim to raise awareness among stakeholders about the advantages of EAfA membership. 

Since submitting your pledge, what activities has the Ministry undertaken to achieve the EAfA objectives in their pledge? 

Since submitting a pledge to EAfA, we have undertaken several activities to achieve the objectives outlined in the pledge, including collaboration with the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) in the Skills4jobs initiative. 

We have partnered with SEV in the Skills4jobs initiative, which aims to enhance the skills of the Greek workforce to meet the demands of the labour market. Through this collaboration, the Ministry and SEV work together to develop and implement training programmes, apprenticeships and other initiatives focused on skills development and employability.