Educational Routes
Description
Educational Routes («Διαδρομές Εκπαίδευσης») is a mobile learning programme implemented by Odyssea with the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation. It brings career guidance, vocational training and employability skills directly to students of Vocational Upper Secondary Schools (EPAL) across Greece. Through its mobile units, which visit schools in Central and Northern Greece, the programme gives young people, especially those in remote or less-served areas, free access to practical tools that help them explore career options, develop job-ready skills and build a better future.
Supporters
1,300
student participants
44
workshops delivered
7
EPAL schools visited
Problem
Many young people in Greece face real challenges when it comes to finding work and planning their future. Youth unemployment is one of the highest in the EU at 19.4%, and in Thessaloniki it exceeds 41%. Dropout rates in Vocational High Schools are nearly seven times higher than in general education. At the same time, businesses struggle to find skilled workers, particularly in tourism, construction and IT. This gap between education and the labour market means young people often leave school without direction, while entire industries go understaffed.
Solution
Educational Routes bridges that gap by taking career guidance and skills training directly into schools, rather than waiting for students to find their way to it. Mobile units travel to EPAL schools across Central and Northern Greece, delivering free, hands-on workshops in career orientation, vocational skills and employability. The model is built for reach: students in remote and underserved areas, who would otherwise have no access to this kind of support, receive it inside their own classrooms. Following strong interest and positive feedback from students and educators, Odyssea has launched the second year of the programme and is expanding with a second mobile unit to reach even more remote areas in Northern Greece, building a stronger, more connected pathway from education to employment.
Services
- Career guidance workshops: helping students explore career options and make informed choices
- Vocational skills workshops: hands-on practical training aligned to in-demand sectors
- Employability workshops: job-readiness skills for entering the labour market
- Mobile unit delivery: free workshops delivered on site at EPAL schools across Central and Northern Greece
Outcome
- 7 EPAL schools visited across Central Greece
- 44 workshops delivered on career guidance, vocational skills and employability
- 1,300 student participants
- 93% satisfaction rate among participating schools
