A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on Friday 24 September 2021, by the Employment Agency of Labour Resources (OAED), the Hellenic-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Institute of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises ρ ήσεων , for seven Experimental Vocational Schools (EPAS) Apprenticeship of the OAED in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is the implementation of curricula that meet the needs of businesses in the tourism industry. At the same time, the adoption of best practices and the enhancement of quality vocational education. The EPAS Experimental Projects aim to create a competitive advantage for businesses, apprentices and the educational community, through cooperation with institutions and social partners for the design and closer interconnection of programs with the needs of the economy.

The main points concerning the operation in the sector of Experimental Vocational Schools OAED

• Studies are two-year courses.
• They are addressed to young people from 18 to 25 years old, who have completed at least compulsory education and have a B2 level English, French or German degree.
• They concern the specialties of Culinary Art Technician, Food Technician and Customer Service Employee of Tourism Enterprises.
• The Experimental EPAS will operate in Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Crete, Mytilene, Patras and Rhodes.
• They will implement the dual system of education that combines theoretical and laboratory training with Apprenticeship (learning in the workplace with pay and insurance) in companies.
• The theoretical part will be implemented in the Schools, from November to April.
• The Apprenticeship will take place in businesses and will take place from May to October.
• The cooperation of the three institutions guarantees the placement of all apprentices in apprenticeships, in distinguished enterprises of the tourism industry (4 and 5 star hotels).
• All three institutions will ensure the vocational rehabilitation of apprentices after completing their studies.
• Registrations will start in October.
• The theoretical courses will start in November.

It is noted thatduring the years 2013/17 the OAED and the Greek-German Chamber participated and successfully implemented the pilot program of vocational education and training MENDI, where two then Experimental EPAS (Alimos and Heraklion, Crete) specialties in the tourism sector operated, with the theoretical courses taking place during the winter months (November - April) and the apprenticeship "Learning program in the workplace" during the summer months (May - October). The results of the pilot were very encouraging. 97% of the 140 young people who completed their education are currently working in responsible positions in the hotel sector. Mostly in the same hotel businesses that were trained.

For more information anyone interested can visit the website: https://dual.com.gr/ or contact by e-mail: info@dual.com.gr E-mail. 2170002030.