Greece

Description of the VET System in Greece

Reforms Promoting Lifelong Learning in Greece

The recent Act on “Development of Lifelong Learning” (Official Governmental Gazette 163/Α΄/21-9-2010 -L.3879/2010), attempts, for the first time in Greece, to set up under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs a single comprehensive framework for Lifelong Learning. In this context, implementation of LLL policies will result in significant structural changes and coordination of the public, private and social sector involved in the promotion of LLL in Greece will strengthen cooperation and networking for development and growth in a knowledge economy and society.

Lifelong learning involves all forms of learning undertaken throughout an individual’s life, with the aim of acquiring and/or improving knowledge, skills and competencies for personal, social and/or employment reasons. The whole spectrum of learning, including formal, non-formal and informal learning pathways, encompasses active citizenship, personal fulfillment, social inclusion, professional development and employment related aspects.

LLL is a strategic tool for the implementation of the new policy priority in Greece on human resources qualifications. It is embedded in the redesign of the growth model of Greece, focusing on improving people’s knowledge, skills and competences. To this purpose, the Hellenic Qualifications Framework is being developed in alignment with the European Qualifications Framework, a tool for the classification of qualifications in terms of learning outcomes upon a set of prescribed reference levels.

The new law has launched the operation of the National Network for LLL for coordinating administration bodies with distinct responsibilities and operations and LLL providers and services in the learning areas of:

Initial Vocational Education & Training (IVET)
Continuing Vocational Education & Training (CVET), as well as
General Adult Education.

The network supports cooperation in operations as follows:

diagnosis of adult education and training needs in response to labour market needs and social growth,
provision of LLL guidance and counseling services,
accreditation of providers, trainers, occupational profiles and non-formal education curricula,
recognition of occupational qualifications and certification of knowledge, skills and competences,
recognition of professional rights in equivalence to occupational qualifications,
information, dissemination and communication.

A comprehensive framework for quality in education and lifelong learning in Greece is a principal policy priority for the Ministry of Education. Quality assurance and improvement constitutes a fundamental pillar of the Strategy for Lifelong Learning in Greece under the Act on LLL (2010) and in reference to European quality assurance standards as defined by EQAVET mostly embedded in the National Program for LLL.

In this direction, the National Framework for Quality Assurance in LLL (π3) is being established to denote “quality, always and everywhere”. It stands for:
1.   quality in inputs, i.e. provision of education and training: providers, teachers & trainers, curricula, material
2.   quality in processes, i.e. teaching methods and practice
3.   quality in outcomes, i.e. learning outcomes: knowledge, skills and competences acquired through learning paths.

π3 sets Quality Principles according to which LLL should be: attractive, effective, responsive to labor market’s needs, promoting social cohesion, creativity & innovation, using high standard resources, incorporating social responsibility, utilizing networking and cooperation.

π3 sets Quality Indicators in a field unregulated to this date and is the outcome of elaborate consultation and extensive agreement with all relevant stakeholders aiming at the continuous improvement of educational and training services for the benefit of the learners.

π3 is in line with the Recommendation and ensures an holistic approach including five stages : planning, implementation, measurement, evaluation and review.

The Hellenic Quality Assurance Reference Point for EQAVET in Greece is the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP). EOPPEP is an organisation from the merger of the National Accreditation Centre for LLL providers (EKEPIS), the National Organisation for Vocational Guidance (EKEP), and the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications (EOPP), operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs (Joint Ministerial Decision 119959/Η - Official Governmental Gazette 2351/20-10-2011).

For further information visit:
www.minedu.gov.gr - the Ministry of Education Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs
www.eoppep.gr - the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) and National Reference Point for EQAVET