Yianna Hormova, Deputy Governor of the Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA), talks to Dr. Venetia Koussia, Chair of the AmCham Greece Employment Committee, about her work at DYPA, the agency’s goals and initiatives, and the significance of the MoU between DYPA and AmCham Greece.
Tell us a little about your role as DYPA’s Deputy Governor and the responsibilities this entails.
As Deputy Governor of the Public Employment Service, my responsibilities encompass a broad range of initiatives aimed at improving vocational education and training, enhancing employment services, and supporting various social groups. Among other things, my role involves overseeing the Professional Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS) and the Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) operated by DYPA. I am also an active member of the National Skills Council, working extensively on upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
The MoU between DYPA and AmCham Greece has the potential to create synergies that benefit both Greek businesses and the workforce
What are some of the primary objectives that you aim to achieve in this role?
One of our primary objectives is the modernization of vocational education and training (VET) infrastructure, especially regarding laboratory centers, where we aim to renew and modernize equipment to meet current technological standards, thereby enhancing the quality of laboratory courses. Additionally, we are focused on renovating EPAS buildings to improve their energy efficiency and spatial functionality. This renovation project, conducted in collaboration with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), aims to upgrade the buildings to nearly zero-energy standards, creating more conducive learning environments. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to make vocational training more attractive and accessible.
We are also reassessing, redesigning, and updating current curricula in collaboration with social partners and employers in order to better align educational outcomes with the actual needs of the labor market. This project is being implemented in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and focuses on creating new and updating existing training guides to ensure they are relevant to current industry demands.
Can you give us some more examples of recent initiatives that DYPA has launched under your leadership?
DYPA operates specialized schools for individuals with disabilities (AMEA) in Athens and Thessaloniki, catering to specific social groups such as people with disabilities, individuals recovering from substance abuse, ex-prisoners, young offenders or those at social risk, victims of human trafficking, women victims of gender-based and domestic violence, transgender individuals, and young adults who continue to reside in child protection units after reaching adulthood.
One of our significant housing initiatives is the My Home program, which provides low-interest or interest-free housing loans to young individuals and couples aged 25 to 39 to purchase their first home. Additionally, under my supervision, we have launched various programs for vulnerable social groups, including social tourism, a camping program, and the provision of vouchers for book purchases and theater attendance. We also oversee technical services and the new Service Office for special social groups within DYPA.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to improving the vocational education and training landscape, supporting the upskilling and reskilling of the workforce, and providing comprehensive support to vulnerable social groups.
What are some of the main challenges facing the employment landscape in Greece today, and how is DYPA addressing these?
The employment landscape in Greece faces several pressing challenges, including high unemployment rates, a mismatch between skills and labor market needs, and the impact of economic fluctuations. One of the most significant challenges is the high youth unemployment rate, which remains a critical issue despite various interventions. Additionally, there is a noticeable gap between the skills that job seekers possess and those that employers require, particularly in sectors experiencing rapid technological advancement.
Can you give us some examples of how DYPA is helping jobseekers in Greece successfully access the labor market?
We are implementing programs for all age groups and in all regions across the country. Notably, we are running the largest certification program in digital and green skills for 500,000 citizens. Some 260,000 Greeks have completed professional training programs, received certifications, and are participating in upskilling and reskilling through DYPA. We also have the JOBmatch app, which offers a free, easy, and quick way to match jobseekers with employers. Jobseekers can create their profiles and use filters to choose preferred job types, schedules, locations, and salary ranges. Employers can create their professional profiles and immediately match with job seekers based on location, salary range, and ratings.
Furthermore, we organize Open Days, which allow young people and parents to visit Vocational Schools of Apprenticeship and speak directly with educators and students, and Career Days, which aim at matching supply and demand in the labor market and include meetings with company representatives.
What opportunities do you believe can be leveraged to improve employment rates and job quality in Greece?
Leveraging technological advancements and promoting digital skills training can significantly improve employment rates and job quality. The rise of the digital economy offers numerous opportunities for job creation, particularly in fields such as information technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. By focusing on these sectors and providing targeted training programs, we can better prepare the workforce for future job markets. Fostering strong partnerships between the public and private sectors is crucial. By involving employers in the design and implementation of training programs, we can ensure that the skills being taught are directly relevant to the needs of the market, facilitating smoother transitions from education to employment. Through targeted initiatives, strategic partnerships, and a focus on aligning skills with market demands, DYPA is committed to improving the employment landscape for all Greeks.
DYPA recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AmCham Greece. Can you elaborate on the significance of this collaboration?
First of all, I would like to thank AmCham Greece President Nikolaos Bakatselos, Executive Director Elias Spirtounias, Employment Committee Chair and BoD member Dr. Venetia Koussia, and the entire AmCham Greece team for the partnership. This MoU between DYPA and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce represents a significant step forward in fostering collaboration between the public sector and the business community. This partnership has the potential to create synergies that benefit both Greek businesses and the workforce and to address some key challenges in the Greek employment landscape, including bridging the skills gap and enhancing job quality.
What are some key goals of the AmCham Greece-DYPA partnership?
By working closely with AmCham Greece, we aim to align our vocational training programs with the needs of the private sector, ensuring that the skills being developed are directly applicable to current and future job markets and that job seekers are equipped with the competencies that employers are looking for. Specific projects and goals include industry-specific training programs in high-demand sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing; expanded opportunities for internships and apprenticeships within AmCham Greece member companies; workforce development initiatives focused on continuous professional development and upskilling; and support for innovation and entrepreneurship through providing training and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses.
The partnership with AmCham Greece is expected to bring significant benefits by creating a more dynamic and responsive workforce development system. We are enthusiastic about the potential of this collaboration to drive economic growth, enhance job quality, and improve employment rates in Greece.
