BALANCING SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS NEEDED IN THE INTERREGIONAL AREA – SKILLS BALANCING
The project tackles the issue of balance between professional skills supply and demand, which cannot be sufficiently dealt with by individual countries alone. The main challenge that the specific project will face is the force of habit; the educational system in both countries has put down its roots and changes may be difficult to implement. The project targets on students and graduates, parents and people between jobs because these groups find it difficult not only to establish themselves in the job market but also occupy a job position as a result of the turbulent economy.
The objectives of the project are to enhance the educational process of interaction between formal and informal learning, to develop skills in formal training as a key foundation for lifelong learning and to promote an effective access to continuing vocational training for adults, employees or applicants for employment. It also aims to equip young people with the basic skills in order to meet the demands of the labour market and to promote initiatives towards employees for their access and stay to the labour market.
The participating partners of the project are the Ministry of Education/ General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning as the Lead Partner, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Interbalkan Institute of Public Administration, the Labour Institute of GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers), the Greek International Business Association (SEVE), the Vocational Training Center of Hellenic Confederation of Professionals Craftsmen and Merchants – Head Branch of Central Macedonia, the Serres Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Blagoevgrad and the Bulgarian Institute of Public Administration.
The project is approved under the Strategic Call for Proposals of the European Territorial Cooperation Programme “Greece – Bulgaria 2007-2013”.
Project duration: 11/2013- 6/2015