U-Talent: DYPA and UNICEF join forces to enhance skills for youth

U-Talent: DYPA and UNICEF join forces to enhance skills for youth

A cooperation agreement for the implementation of the "U-Talent" pilot program was signed today between the Governor of the Public Employment Service (DYPA), Mr. Spyros Protopsaltis, and the UNICEF Representative in Greece, Mr. Ghassan Khalil.

Building on their successful collaboration in the framework of the "European Child Guarantee", through a comprehensive program to support adolescents and youth from vulnerable groups at risk of social exclusion, DYPA and UNICEF Greece Country Office are joining forces again for the joint implementation of the new "U-Talent" initiative.

The “U-Talent Programme: Expanding innovations and opportunities for young people”, designed and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with DYPA, targets young people 15–24 years old and aims to deliver 21st century and green skills, aiming to enhance their capacity to access the labor market. The initiative leverages DYPA’s Vocational Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS) and UNICEF’s educational expertise, to strengthen the capacity of young people to meet the demands of the modern labor market.

The key Programme interventions include:

• Workshops for the delivery of 21st century skills and green skills to 2,000 students of the DYPA Apprenticeship Schools (EPAS), which will be implemented in the 8 Regional Directorates of DYPA.
• Capacity building to 100 educators of EPAS schools, so that they can integrate into their classrooms the FunDoo and Green-Pal innovation tools developed and adapted to the Greek context by UNICEF.
• Information and awareness campaign on the importance of 21st century skills and green skills for young people's access to the labor market, through targeted events and a sensitization campaign.

DYPA’s Governor, Spyros Protopsaltis, stated:

«DYPA invests in young people and in the skills required in modern times. Our collaboration with UNICEF through the “U-Talent” Program combines educational innovation with DYPA’s experience in vocational education. This is not just another educational program, but an organized effort to give young people the tools they need to make meaningful steps towards their personal and professional development. Through partnerships and collaborations, DYPA is expanding its impact and strengthening its outreach, responding to the new challenges of a labor market that is constantly changing.”

UNICEF’s Representative, Ghassan Khalil commented:

«We are particularly proud of our collaboration with DYPA in the context of promoting vocational education and strengthening the skills of young people to enhance their integration into the labor market. Developing the skills of young people must be a key priority for all of us, so that young people have more opportunities to adapt to today's constantly changing professional environment, to develop and thrive.”

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