Abstract:

Τhe purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Public Vocational Training Institutes (PVTI) diploma of graduates on their realization on the labor market as well as to investigate the perceptions of these graduates regarding the contribution of their education at PVTI on their professional development.

The National System of Vocational Education and Training (NSVET) in Greece was established in 2009 with the aim to promote and develop vocational education in the country. In parallel, the Organization of Vocational Education and Training (OVET) was establish for the purpose of organizing, operating and supervising Vocational Training Institutes (VETs). During the last decade the NSVET was reformed and nowadays VETs offer certified programs of initial or supplementary vocational training that correspond to the expectations of the respective professionс.

The paper present a study on the results of the rehabilitation process of the PVTI. It is organized in four sections:
1) Overview of the institutional framework of public VETs;
2) Review of research related to the employment of VETs graduates in the labor market;
3) Study on the impact of VET after the reform on the professional realization of the graduates; and
4) Conclusions.

Quantitative methods is applied. The target population of the research consists of graduates of PVTI. A questionnaire is used as a main tool. It explores the way the graduates look for a job, their employment, their perception of the opportunities that the VETs provides to them, and their expectations and suggestions for improvement of the relationships between VETs and the labor market.

The study results show that after the reform, the graduates find a job easily. It reveals also the need of better cooperation between VETs and local companies, as well as need of improvement of the quality of education in terms of applicability of the gained knowledge and skill in the professional practice.

Keywords:

Vocational training, employment, employability.