Memorandum of Understanding between the Public Employment Service (PES ) and ONEX Shipyards & Technologies for the closer interconnection of vocational training with the new increased needs of the "blue economy", resulting from the reopening of the Elefsina Shipyards. The Memorandum was signed by the Governor of DYPA Spyros Protopsaltis and the Chairman and CEO of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Panos Xenokostas, at an event, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Justice and MP for West Attica George Kotsiras, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and MP for West Attica Thanasis Bouras, the Mayor of Elefsina Argyris Economou and the Mayor of Mandra-Eidyllia Christos Stathis.

Starting from the coming school year, the Vocational School of Apprenticeship DYPA Elefsina (EPAS) will operate the new specialties:

• "Shipbuilding Industry Technician" and
• "Electrical Systems Support Technician"

In the context of the Memorandum, the expertise of the UNECE will be used to reform the relevant curricula. The aim is to meet the modern requirements of the sector, as well as the modernisation of laboratories and the necessary equipment.

In addition, through the cooperation, all apprentices of the relevant specialties of EPAS secure paid and insured internships at the Elefsina Shipyards. Thus they gain experience in real working conditions and work culture. At the same time, there is the possibility of their absorption in the company, immediately after graduation . In order to attract young people to the above specialisations, DYPA and ONEX will implement joint communication and information actions. These will concern the apprenticeship programmes offered and the career prospects they offer .

At the same time, through the Medium and Large Enterprises Service Unit ( MMEU ), DYPA will offer ONEX targeted recruitment services for all levels of specialisation. This expands the cooperation that started with the recruitment of unemployed persons and the participation of ONEX in the "Career Day" in Elefsina.

Spyros Protopsaltis, Commander of the DYPA

"Today's MoU between DYPA and UNEX is another example where we are responding with speed and flexibility to labour market developments at local level, with the aim of offering young people of Elefsina and the wider region of West Attica, quality educational choices that lead to professions with increasing demand, such as the blue economy. Guided by the successful cooperation with EAB for aircraft engineers in Chalkida, we continue to we interconnect the vocational training and training with flagship investments that create new jobs and new needs for skilled and properly trained staff. The EIF must and can play a key role in meeting the needs of the economy. As well as for a qualified workforce and by providing a high level of service from the Medium and Large Enterprises Service Unit , we stand by the Elefsina Shipyards and all businesses in the region".

Panos Xenokostas, Chairman and Managing Director of ONEX Shipyards & Technologies

"We are moving forward with steady steps towards the regeneration of the Elefsina Shipyards. We are creating a productive network of partnerships that will work supportively in the new era. It offers job opportunities to people in West Attica and beyond. At the same timeinvests in the knowledge and training of the soul of the Shipyards, who are none other than the theiremployees. The cooperation with DYPA is the best guarantee for the modernization of the Technical Vocational Education and "coupling" with existing and new the future needs of the shipbuilding industry. The evolving rise of the Shipbuilding industry is expected to significantly boost the demand for skilled workers in technical professions related to shipbuilding. Today, we are partnering with the DYPA to create new sustainable jobs. But also to support the necessary transformation of the production model at local and national level. A new bright page finally begins for the Elefsina Shipyards".