Today, the Minister of Education, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, presented the new legislative initiative being prepared by the government to upgrade vocational education and training, at an event at the Vocational High School of Perama.

The goal is a close connection with the labor market and with an emphasis on the needs of local communities or business zones, such as the shipbuilding and repair zone in the case of Perama.

Upgrading technical education and linking it to the labor market

The relevant bill under preparation provides for the integration of Vocational Lyceums, Vocational Training Schools and Public IEKs into new Vocational Education and Training Centers (VETCs), while IEKs in particular will develop into Higher Vocational Training Schools (SEAK). The KEEKs will also provide a Post-High School Year – Apprenticeship Class, while they must have a laboratory center. The laboratory infrastructure will be strengthened with modern logistical equipment, for which 124 million euros will be allocated.

In this way, the new KEEK will be versatile units where professional education and training structures of levels 3, 4 and 5 of the National Qualifications Framework will be co-located in the same building complex, allowing interaction and the development of synergies between the different levels.

In addition, a Professional Development and Career Office (GEAS) will be established and will operate within each KEEK, which will further strengthen the connection with the labor market. The new Offices will cooperate with professional bodies, study statistical data, take care of student employment and provide personalized advice on the transition to the next levels of education, professional orientation and the prospects of each field.