1. Upskilling, reskilling and employing
adult refugees
October 2016
Iraklis Pliakis,
VET Special Advisor
Ministry of Education, IEP

2. The refugee Crisis
Massive Influx of an “Exodus” Character
MSs at EU external borders (Greece & Italy)
MSs under secondary flows (asylum applications): Germany, France, Sweden

3. The refugee Crisis - Greece Available Data (3)
Apprehended third country nationals to Greek Turkish Borders
Approximately the number of irregular migrants that Greece received during 2000s
2016 (Jan – Aug): (data on September under verification by Hellenic Police Headquarters)
Vast Majority of refugee profile: Syrians, Iraqis & Afghanis
Greek authorities worked intensively with EC, EU Agencies & EU MSs

4. The refugee Crisis - Greece Available Data (2)
Asylum Applications
2013
2014
2015
2016
Total
Refugee status
269
1517
487
151
2424
Subsidiary protection
110
620
153 25
908
Rejections
2347
6466
2922
479
12214
Resignations
557
2718
447
1643
5365
Pending
28367
49278

5. The refugee Crisis - Greece Available Data (1)
Reception/ Current Status:
53 adequate facilities already developed, that today guest (max. capacity , established all-over Greek territory)
UNHCR has established (today guests 8633) additional places (under rental scheme)
Non official settlements (estimated) 2.443
Non official self settlements (estimated) 8.300
Total population throughout Greek territory
Total nominal capacity to official structures

6. The state of play of refugee education & training in the past
The Ministry of Labour was responsible and assigned to organizations of the Civil Society the implementation of education and training programmes, targeted to asylum seekers and people under international protection
The Multiannual Programme (European Refugee Fund)
A total of 1257 asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, attended language & training courses (2008 – 2015)
(Greek/ English language training lessons, computer classes, remedial teaching, etc)
Third-country nationals recognized with the refugee status, can be enrolled to the training programmes of the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) according to the same terms and conditions that are applied for the Greek nationals
OAED
The enrollment in vocational training programs (IEK) for recognized political refugees was possible without the presentation of upper secondary graduation certificate from their country of origin (the current low changed the procedure).
IEK

7. The state of Play of refugee education & training in 2015-16
105 educational-type interventions for children and
48 educational-type interventions for adults.
These interventions are organized by NGOs - international or Greek, various collectives (associations, unions, etc.), universities, solidarity groups etc
In only one third of the cases lessons are mentioned (mostly English, Greek or -more rarely- mathematics & Arabic) .
Actions for adults primarily focus on activities for empowerment, artistic creation, counseling, creation of joint discussion groups on issues regarding the Centers, learning the Greek and English language and the facilitation of adults on visiting libraries, museums, etc.
In 7 cases, refugees residing at the Centers participate in the organization- implementation of educational activities, mainly English or Arabic lessons.

8. LIFE LONG LEARNING Post Secondary level 18 17 16 15
EQF 8
Doctorate title, 3+y
EQF 7
Master’s title, 1-2y
EQF 6
University Degree
Technical Education Institutes Degree
EQF 6-7
Hellenic Open University title
LLL for the Unemployed and vulnerable social groups
LLL Centers
In job training
EQF 5
Higher level Vocational Schools
EQF 5
Vocational training institutes
General admission exams
Exams for Vocational Education Schools
EQF 5
4th y apprenticeship (EPAL)
EQF 4
Upper Secondary Education (GEL), 3 y
EQF 4
Vocational Education Schools (EPAL), 3 y
EQF 4
Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS)

9. Main Challenges
Ensure adequate funding 1
Adapt existing legal framework 2
Overcome language barriers 3
Create adequate curricula 4
Train teachers & trainers 5
Certify refugees’ skills and knowledge 6
Achieve smooth coexistence with local society 7

10. Main target groups Adolescents between 15-18 (elements of adulthood)
Adult refugees
Recognized refugees/ beneficiaries of subsidiary protection/ long term stay in Greek territory
Refugees in Relocation & family reunion programmes
People that can certify their skills
People unable to certify their skills
The percentage of refugees above15 years old is about 70% of the total population

11. Reception School Structures for Refugee Education
They will provide a flexible institutional and didactic intervention scheme that will eventually introduce refugees in the Greek Educational System.
9 months teaching period
Refugees that are above 15 years old
They can be established in upper secondary schools, Refugee reception centers & in other available spaces

12. Reception School Structures for Refugee Education (15-18)
Will be established within any district school and will operate from 14:00 to 18:00, i.e. following the daily program of the district EPAL school.
They will offer language (Greek & English) and IT skills
Counseling & vocational guidance
Workshops & training in basic skills in specific vocational sectors/ specialties
Certification (e.g. language) and introduction of refugees in the formal or non-formal educational & training system

13. Reception School Structures for Refugee Education (18+)
They will be will be implemented in LLL centres (existing institutions – adequate legal framework)
They will offer language (Greek & English) and IT skills
Counseling & vocational guidance
Workshops & training in basic skills in specific vocational sectors/ specialties
Certification (e.g. language) and introduction of refugees in the formal or non-formal educational & training system

14. Refugee Education Coordinators / duties
Refugee Education Coordinators will represent the Ministry of Education and will be liable for the coordination and supervision of all structures and their educational staff. 1
Raise awareness that education is fundamental for refugees’ social integration. 2
Update the recording of refugees by age and other criteria necessary for their education 3
Monitor and coordinate educational activities provided by all stakeholders, governmental and non governmental bodies etc. 4

15. Alternative educational pathways for refugees (1)
Certification procedure that leads to formal or non formal education.
Second chance schools. Existing institution that offers the possibility to adults to obtain lower secondary education diploma following an alternative curriculum
SDE
Upper Secondary Vocational Education
EPAL
Intercultural Upper Secondary Education
GEL
Post lower-secondary education Institutes of Vocational Training
IEK

16. Alternative educational pathways for refugees (2)
Linkages with work placed learning
Apprenticeship Schools that follow the dual system
EPAS
Possibility of linking specific courses with in-company training.
Training programmes

17. Short term Reception structures
Will be established in alternative available spaces
They will offer language (Greek & English) and IT skills
Counseling & vocational guidance
Possible pilot project: upskilling refugees in order to work in nearby refugee reception centers
Certification (e.g. language)