The ELS Skills Team of the OECD and the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission are cooperating in providing technical support to countries that want to reform their adult learning systems. In particular, the objective of the project "Improving adult learning in Greece through quality assurance and validation of prior learning" is to support the Greek National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP) in designing a quality assurance framework for non-formal and informal learning. The project will also initiate a reflection on introducing a system for the assessment and validation of prior learning to support low-skilled adults. This project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the OECD, in cooperation with the European Commission’s DG Structural Reform Support.

 

Context

The green and digital transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic are changing the Greek labour market, after being shaken by a decade-long economic crisis. Workers and businesses need to adapt and seize new job opportunities through upskilling (improving existing skills) and reskilling (training in new skills). Despite progress, Greece still lacks a well-functioning continuing vocational education and training (CVET) system, limiting upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

EOPPEP – the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance – has been institutionally mandated, under L. 4115/2013, with the establishment of a national framework for quality assurance of non-formal and informal learning and with the development of a system for the assessment and validation of prior learning.

 

Support to be delivered

The technical support will be delivered through an analysis of needs and gaps of the Greek quality assurance initiatives and actions for non-formal learning, as well as a review of best practices in EU Member States on quality assurance and on assessment and validation of prior learning. It will also provide recommendations with concrete steps and processes on developing a comprehensive national framework for quality assurance of non-formal and informal learning, based on extensive consultation with relevant actors and stakeholders. The support will also include policy recommendations on the design of a system for the assessment and validation of prior learning and a roadmap for its potential launching. 

 

Expected results

The expected results of this project are that the Greek authorities will be equipped to introduce a quality assurance framework for non-formal and informal learning and to initiate discussions with relevant stakeholders on introducing a system for the assessment and validation of prior learning.

The expected long-term effect of this project is to improve the quality of adult learning and its labour market relevance and to support low-skilled adults by easing their access to education and training and the labour market through the assessment and validation of prior learning. Ultimately, the expected long-term effect is the quality upgrading of the CVET system in Greece.