The NAAGRCY Project is an international initiative aimed at improving the quality of Vocational Education and Training (VET), particularly Apprenticeship, in Greece and Cyprus by closely cooperating with social partners and tranferring know-how from Germany, a country with a long tradition and experience in the Dual System of Vocational Education and Training.
The Project was approved by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, with the title NATIONAL AUTHORITIES FOR APPRENTICESHIP: COMPANIES AS SUSTAINABLE PARTNERS FOR APPRENTICESHIP IN GREECE AND CYPRUS NAAGRCY and Project No 557308-EPP- 1-2014-1-EL- EPPKA3-APPREN.
The Project started on 01/10/2014 and was completed on 28/02/2017.
The NAAGRCY Project is an international initiative aimed at improving the quality of Vocational Education and Training (VET), particularly Apprenticeship, in Greece and Cyprus by closely cooperating with social partners and tranferring know-how from Germany, a country with a long tradition and experience in the Dual System of Vocational Education and Training.
The Project forms part of a wider action plan implemented by OAEDs General Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, whose specific aim is to upgrade Apprenticeship (2012-2015), within the context of the programme titled Reengineering of OAEDs Business Model.
The National Partners of the Project are the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) as the project leader, the Institute of Small Enterprises of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants (IME GSEVEE), the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP), and the Labour Institute of the General Confederation of Greek Workers (INE GSEE).
The International Partners are the German Federal Institute of Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), the Cyprus Productivity Centre (CPC), the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) with the collaboration of the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture.
The project mainly aimed to modernize and upgrade Apprenticeship in Greece and Cyprus, based on international good practices. It sought to develop, among other things, a methodology for the effec- tive implementation of in-company training/Apprenticeship, and motivate companies in Greece and Cyprus to actively participate in Vocational Education and Training programmes by offering quality Apprenticeships.
Moreover, the NAAGRCY project aimed to enhance the links between Apprenticeship and the labour market – at first, in sectors with comparative advantage. The project piloted the methodology in two occupational specialties in Greece and two more in Cyprus.
The overall objective of the project was to contribute to developing quality Apprenticeships as an effective tool for the smooth transition of young people from Vocational Education and Training to the labour market. It focused, therefore, on the role and characteristics of companies as quality learning venues for training future workers and qualified company staff members.
The NAAGRCY project is expected to contribute to the development of common European and na- tional strategies for Apprenticeship. Furthermore, through the investigation of good practices was developed relevant mechanisms for improving the ability of Vocational Education and Training to respond to the changing demands of the labour market. By further developing these good practices, the attractiveness of Vocational Education and Training in Greece and Cyprus will also be enhanced.
Besides, the project will also help companies invest in their human resources and enhance their involvement in Apprenticeship programmes. This will be achieved by providing specific guidelines and a methodology about the development of in-company training (on-the-job training) regulations, the cooperation of Vocational Education schools and companies, the (further) training of in-company trainers, the conditions of VET provision by companies, and the apprentice examination and certification procedures.
Indeed, one of the NAAGRCY project’s key deliverables is the development of a methodological framework that can help companies become quality Apprenticeship venues.
The project identified the need to set up Apprenticeship support networks as an organisational and institutional frame for sustainable links between apprentices and companies, as well as between companies and Apprenticeship Vocational Schools.
The NAAGRCY project piloted and analysed the different aspects in the selected occupational specialties: Car Mechanics and Cooks, in Greece; Car Mechanics and Hair- dressers, in Cyprus.