The new cooperation between the OAED and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with Google Greece for the training of young unemployed people in the digital entrepreneurship announced the Minister Kostis Hatzidakis. Action linked to the OAED program for the promotion of young unemployed in self-employment through the creation of startups, with the support of each start-up by supporting each startup with 15,000 euros. He made this announcement from the podium of the SkillUp Forum conference organized by the OAED in Thessaloniki.

Information about the programme OAED

The new programme will enable 4,000 unemployed people up to the age of 45 to acquire the right digital and entrepreneurial skills to be able to set up their own sustainable business.

The aim is to train them in the basic principles of entrepreneurship, as they have been shaped in today's digital age. The training will be done through free distance training lasting 35 hours. Thus, participants will be able to start their own business by utilizing all available digital tools. Topics such as creating a business identity, managing the market, consolidating the business online, promoting new products and services, etc. are covered.

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of attendance from Google. The start date of the applications will be announced soon.

The position of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

"Upskilling is an absolute priority for Greece. That is why the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is directly promoting a radical reform in this area. At the same time, it activates new training programs with an emphasis on digital skills and entrepreneurship." This was stated by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis from the podium of the SkillUp Forum conference.

As Mr. Hatzidakis said, "This program has a key difference compared to other programs in the past. It is not "money in the air", as it is done in collaboration with an international giant such as Google. A company with vast experience in digital skills and entrepreneurship development. We support in practice the unemployed who have a business idea and are looking for the means to implement it. That is why we are confident that this initiative will have a great response to the young generation."

The position of OAED

The OAED commander Spyros Protopsaltis, stated that: "OAED continues, with extroversion, to invest in people, in the qualitative upgrading of skills and in the creation of startups and new jobs. Guided by the successful programs we have implemented over the last year, we are launching a new cycle of innovative training and entrepreneurship actions to strengthen the digital economy."

Google's position

The General Manager of Google Southeast Europe Peggy Antonakou underlined that: "Through the Grow Greece with Google platform, the company's commitment to contribute substantially and effectively to the recovery and growth of Greece is explicitly expressed, with particular emphasis on digital skills. The technology of our time is here for all of us, regardless of our age or level of knowledge. This innovative program helps people up to 45 years old to acquire the necessary supplies and digital skills in order to be able to start their own startups. This gives them a first or even a second chance to try their hand, claiming a better future."