SOCIETY

The Vocational Training Center of Rethymno Regional Unit - Region Crete is the only public center of Crete Region, certified by the National Qualification Certification Agency and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP), which is supervised by the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs. Provide continuing education and training services under the actions of Lifelong Learning. The starting idea was developed in 2013 in response of recognizable need for training of personnel involved in the production and disposal of catering to vulnerable groups of the population such as immigrants, our fellow citizens strongly feeling the effects of the crisis, poor, children from single parent families, unemployed, homeless, etc. In collaboration with social organizations of Crete and the Hellenic Food Authority was decided to organize volunteer training programs for volunteer food handlers in soup kitchens for paupers and socially groceries. The aim of training was to ensure hygiene and food safety high level, contributing to assurance  of citizens-feeding health, especially those who have included in high-risk groups (children, elderly, etc.). Incidents which have recorded during  inspections by competent control authorities in Greek regions, demonstrated and highlighted the problem of non-compliance according with health and safety food standards in soup kitchens and social groceries and present the important role of education in the protection of our citizens putting this educational need on top priority (http://news.in.gr/greece/article/?aid=1500058447).

This initiative has begun from K.E.KA.P.E.R.-REGION OF CRETE, staff strains of which have been come in contact with social organizations initially at Rethymno and then at the Region of Crete and the Archibishopric of Crete and the "FILOXENIA" - non-profit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO). The result of these meetings was the recognition and awareness of stakeholders to proceed to the creation of lists with volunteers and workers who could have been consisted target group for volunteer programs. K.E.KA.P.E.R., organized totally the project, providing certified trainer from the Registry of Volunteer Educators of EFET, the required educational material and classrooms for programs that held in Rethymno. For programs which held in the mainland of Crete (Zoniana Anogia) trainings were conducts in places that indicated by the social actors. The program included: Maintenance of heating-cooling chain, personal hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of premises, waste management, vermin & deworming, markets / receipt of materials / storage, product handling, processing products / cooking, keeping for sale, landscaping and maintenance of equipment and withdrawal-withdrawal procedures of contaminated food, in cooperation with the EFET.

These actions have received the appropriate publicity in numerous websites and social media. Indicative links: http://www.agronews.gr/news/agora-ergasias/arthro/141082/o-efet-ekpaideuei-ethelodes-heiristes-trofimon-/, http://www.kekaper.gr/index.php/anakoinoseis/deltia-typou/304-episkepsi-antiperifereiarxi-rethymnis-kai-stelexon-k-e-ka-p-e-r-perifereias-kritis-ston-sevasmiotato-arxiepiskopo-kritis-k-eirinaio, http://arouraios.gr/2016/04/efet-dorean-programmata-katartishs-gia-sussitia-prosfugon/, etc.

The aim of K.E.KA.P.E.R.-REGION OF CRETE is the continuous effort of knowledge diffusion to all those involved in voluntary education and training volunteer food handlers in soup kitchens and social groceries ensuring hygiene and safety.