Bridging the Skills Gap
Overview
Bridging the Skills Gap is a project, funded by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme, managed by the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum and implemented by Odyssea, which aims to help refugees, migrants and asylum seekers to integrate into society by providing them with education, training and employment opportunities. The programme, which started on 3 June 2024, aims to provide education, vocational training and employment opportunities to enhance the employability of these vulnerable groups.
The programme also leverages Swiss expertise and artificial intelligence technology to address the high unemployment rates, especially among young people in Greece.
Strategic Partner
Vocational training
Employment opportunities
Early integration in the society
The Programme
The programme is based on 4 key implementation pillars:
- Workshops and training: the programme includes a series of workshops and vocational training courses designed to equip participants with the necessary skills for the labour market.
- Employability services: Provision of tailored employability services, including social and digital skills training.
- Enhancing employability: Using artificial intelligence to improve employment prospects.
- Partnering with the private sector: Engage the private sector, in particular through partnership with SENABI (Shipbuilding Industry Business Association), to create employment opportunities.
Timeline
The project will last 24 months, starting on 1 June 2024. The key milestones include:
- June 2024: Project Launch event
- July 2024: Launch of soft skills and digital skills training in Athens
- September 2024: Start of Vocational Training in Athens
- November 2024: Start of Vocational Training in Thessaloniki
- February 2025: Launch of soft skills and digital skills training in Thessaloniki
- March 2025: Expansion of Training & Career Services through Mobile Missions
- September 2025: Opening of New Odyssea Branch in Perama Ship Repair Zone
- September 2025 – May 2026: New Cycle of Workshops & Training
Locations and scope
- Prime locations: Athens and Thessaloniki.
- Mobile training unit: Conducting 17 missions across Greece to take education and training directly to different communities.
- New Office: Establishment of a new Odyssea branch at Perama Ship Repair Zone.
Bridging the Skills Gap
This programme is an important step towards addressing the skills gap among migrants and refugees in Greece, promoting integration and employment and contributing to the overall social and economic stability of the region.
Expected results
- Empowerment: Increase in the number of migrants and refugees empowered to unlock their potential.
- Access to training: increased access to vocational training adapted to market needs.
- Job placement: Improved employability profiles and successful job placements.
- Protective environment: Contributing to a protective and inclusive environment for refugees and migrants.
- Policy formulation: Engage with government and local authorities to formulate inclusive policies.
- Business support: Bridging private sector companies with skilled and talented individuals.
Numbers
- 400 participants in social and digital skills training
- 500 participants in introductory courses
- 350 participants in vocational training
- 1000 participants will receive employability services
- 150 companies join our network
