Training‐related dimensions of apprenticeship programmes in crisis‐ridden Greece: an exploratory study

Abstract

Since the 2008 financial crisis there has been increased interest in apprenticeships in Greece, largely due to the perception that apprenticeships, in comparison to academic studies, may improve the employment prospects of young people. Before this time, there had been little interest in vocational education and training (VET) and consequently few efforts to develop the VET system. This exploratory article focuses on training, a crucial aspect of apprenticeship programmes, and offers a critical overview of key dimensions of the training content of apprenticeships in Greece. The article draws on the findings of a large‐scale, mostly qualitative research project (carried out between December 2015 and March 2017), which aimed at reviewing the Greek apprenticeship system and gathered, inter alia, the views of 150 individuals representing different groups of stakeholders. It is argued that, despite positive features, the training offered in Greek apprenticeships still suffers from severe shortcomings, which highlight the need for urgent reform and restructuring. Without such reform, the potential of the system to be an effective, alternative to the academic pathway or to boost employment will be seriously constrained.

Putting the individual and context back into national human resource development research: A systematic review and research agenda

“…Research on the exosystem is primarily descriptive where it does incorporate LDP issues. For instance, Lalioti (2019) investigated apprenticeship initiatives for different age groups in Greece and highlighted significant policy shortcomings and the lack of strong institutional support. Similarly, Lee (2004) explored NHRD in the United Kingdom and specifically initiatives to foster the development of national workforce competencies for different age categories and the use of less traditional types of provision.…”

“…We found examples of research that considered the time issue. For example, Ibarrarán et al (2019) took a time dimension to investigate the longterm effects of youth training programmes, and several researchers have investigated NHRD issues in the context of economic crisis and downturns (Lalioti, 2019;Pilz, 2017) but not in terms of how they impact development opportunities and participation for different age groups. Research has also sought to consider NHRD issues in the context of transitioning societies (McLean, 2006;Paprock et al, 2006) and poverty reduction (Khan & Ali, 2014).…”

Changing Skill Formation in Greece and Italy – Crisis-Induced Reforms in Light of Common Institutional Legacies

“…While employers are responsible for the content of practical training and the nomination of trainers, financing of the EPAS is mainly public, as the state finances the major part of apprentices' wages, which are either payed directly to the apprentices or to their employers. Moreover, apart from labour market aspects of the apprenticeship contract, training at the workplace has been rather unregulated in terms of learning content and the trainers' qualifications (GRE-3;Lalioti, 2019). One traditional complaint about the EPAS scheme is that its graduates are not entitled to enter into further education within the formal education system.…”

Recruitment and retention in not-for-profit organisations: tailored strategies for younger and older volunteers

“…This will in turn lead to high levels of youth unemployment and a potential need to reskill to seek employment in different sectors. Previous unemployment crises have led to young people seeking new areas in which to train and a desire for these skills to be certificated (Lailoti, 2019). At the other end of the age spectrum, older workers are more likely to take advantage of voluntary severance packages offered by employers wishing to reduce their workforce and thus to move into an unforeseen early retirement.…”