Improving Institutional Efficiency and Collaboration through Technical Consulting
The National System Linking Vocational Education and Training to Employment (ESSEEKA) and the National Network for Lifelong Learning in Greece play a crucial role in aligning educational institutions with the labour market. However, their effectiveness has been hampered by fragmentation of systems, poor coordination among stakeholders, and limited management capacity.
PLANET as a Technical Consultant was appointed to provide the necessary technical and operational support to various stakeholders involved in these systems, particularly the General Secretariat of Lifelong Learning (GGDBM) and the Regional Training Committees in order to. to enhance the efficiency of ESSEEKA and the broader Lifelong Learning Network, facilitating their effective implementation.
Comprehensive Technical and Operational Support
The primary challenge was to ensure coordination and alignment between multiple institutions, each responsible for different systems under ESSEEKA. This required enhancing interconnection between systems, improving operational procedures, and supporting decision-making processes at national and regional levels. Furthermore, the stakeholders faced issues in the organisation, management, and implementation of action plans, along with the need for continuous monitoring and reporting.
The Technical Consultant’s services were specifically designed to enhance coordination and improve the functionality of the institutions involved. The primary goals included strengthening cooperation between vocational education, training, and the labour market, ensuring the smooth operation of ESSEEKA’s supervising and management bodies, improving the efficiency of the National Lifelong Learning Network, and providing support to the Regional Training Committees in the planning and execution of effective action plans.Workshops to inform employees about the programme.
By seamlessly connecting vocational education with the labour market, PLANET empowered Greece’s Lifelong Learning Network to function as a unified, efficient system capable of driving real, sustainable change.
PLANET’s services focused on several key areas:
System Coordination and Management: Supported General Secretariat of Lifelong Learning to coordinate various ESSEEKA systems and to formulate recommendations to the Lifelong Learning and Employment Linking Council.
Institutional Support: Helped the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to manage the Labour Market Needs Research System and Vocational Guidance and Counseling System .
Regional Support: Facilitated the organisation of Regional Training Committees and provided its expertise in the development and implementation of their annual action plans.
Key Outcomes: Empowering Institutions and Building Capacity for the Future
The involvement of the Technical Consultant brought about notable improvements in the operation of both the National Lifelong Learning Network and ESSEEKA. Key outcomes included enhanced collaboration between the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, and GGDBM, which strengthened the connection between vocational training systems and the labour market. The management and coordination of ESSEEKA supervising bodies became more efficient, leading to better decision-making and smoother implementation of training systems. At the regional level, action plans were successfully developed and executed, supporting local capacity-building efforts. Operational efficiency also improved through staff training, optimized resource management, and the implementation of comprehensive systems. Lastly, positive feedback from ESSEEKA users, as indicated in annual satisfaction reports, highlighted the success of these initiatives.
This case demonstrates the importance of technical consulting in large-scale educational and employment linking projects, contributing to sustainable development and lifelong learning in Greece.
System Optimization: Developed expert reports, studies, and research to improve the interconnection and functionality of ESSEEKA systems.
Operational and HR Management:
- Provided staff training, technology transfer, and developed human resource management systems to ensure efficient operations.
- Assisted in planning and implementing economic management systems, operational regulations, and annual action plans for effective project implementation.
Monitoring and Reporting
Communication and Publicity
