Work Ready | Skills and Labor Market Integration Accelerator for Graduates of vocational education (VET)
SOCIETY
CIVIL SOCIETY: 292 PRACTICES
TOPIC:
Initiative
SUBMITTED FROM:
Objective Action
Only 23% of graduates from vocational education institutions remain actively employed six months after graduation, while the youth unemployment rate reaches 27.3% (Eurostat), highlighting the serious difficulties they face in integrating into the labor market.
At the same time, new forms of work organization require increased adaptability and continuous improvement of skills, both technical and interpersonal. Failure to address this gap exacerbates exclusion and slows social, economic, and productive integration.
In response to this challenge, knowl social enterprise for lifelong learning has designed and implemented the "Work Ready" program, a professional skills accelerator for graduates of EPAL, EPAS, ESK, and IEK (VET). Its primary aim is to enhance the employability of participants by providing them with modern, personalized development tools that meet the demands of the labor market.
Target Audience
The direct beneficiaries of the program are 25 unemployed graduates from IEK, EPAS, and EPAL, aged 18 and over, representing a variety of professional profiles, special needs, and academic/work backgrounds. The program has been structured to accommodate and highlight this diversity, catering to the individualized prospects of each participant.
Duration
January 2024 – April 2024
Description
The "Work Ready" program, designed by knowl, is a personalized professional skills empowerment initiative lasting 4 months. It is based on the award-winning innovative methodology called the "Skills Accelerator #mellon" and provides each participant with at least 25 free hours of individual and group counseling, training, and certification.
Specifically, the program includes:
- A targeted start with psychometric tests to identify strengths and provide personalized feedback.
- Career counselors who work with each beneficiary to create a personalized "Skills Roadmap" with clear objectives.
- A dynamic combination of individual mentoring, tailored to each participant’s profile.
- Mock interviews with industry professionals that realistically simulate workplace scenarios.
- Continuous gathering and utilization of feedback at every step to offer focused additional support from the knowl team, based on counselor findings.
- Group educational sessions that foster team spirit, including experiential activities, training in digital and soft skills, change management, and sustainable development.
- Professional certifications provided for free, aligned with each individual's professional goals.
- Strengthening participants’ networking through guidance and preparation for targeted participation in Job Fairs and conferences.
This comprehensive approach aims to effectively enhance employability by addressing both technical and interpersonal skill development tailored to each participant's needs and career aspirations.
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Impact on Society
The Social Return on Investment (SROI) of the "Work Ready" program stands at 3.25, meaning that for every €1 invested, the program generates €3.25 in social value. This significant multiplier highlights the program's important role as a lever for social and professional inclusion by effectively enhancing employability and readiness for work among its participants.
Specifically, the program directly benefited 25 unemployed graduates (IEK, EPAS, EPAL) who experienced a meaningful increase in labor market activation. Measurable improvements were noted in their self-confidence and core professional skills. These outcomes are attributed to the program’s targeted training, personalized counseling, and practical simulations that boosted the participants' competitiveness and readiness for employment.
Beyond the direct beneficiaries, the initiative mobilized a broad network of 20 stakeholders from local entities, educational organizations, and the private sector, extending the program’s impact to a wider professional and social ecosystem.
The program is directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) by preventing and addressing the root causes of poverty through focus on employability, equal opportunities, and sustainable social development.
Internal evaluations revealed that the program resulted in:
- An employment readiness and employability increase significantly above the national average.
- Enhanced self-confidence and professional training enabling participants to claim dignified working conditions, fair pay, and social progress.
- A social value production more than triple the investment, confirming its strong societal and economic benefits.
In sum, the "Work Ready" program’s SROI of 3.25 demonstrates a proven social impact, validating it as an effective tool for professional integration and social inclusion through strategic empowerment of skills and workforce readiness. This aligns with broader policy goals to boost employment and social cohesion in Greece.
This assessment is consistent with the principle that such social investment programs create long-term value far beyond their immediate financial inputs, supporting a resilient and inclusive labor market.
Initiative Location
Nationwide implementation, with outward-oriented interaction in both urban and rural areas. The program is applied across all of Greece, engaging actively with diverse communities in cities and countryside, expanding its reach and impact throughout the country.
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Working with Organization
The program was funded by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, which served as a major sponsor and made a decisive contribution to the implementation and success of the initiative, and was co-financed by knowl s.e. As a best practice, synergies and connections were developed with local stakeholders, educational organizations, and the private sector through exchange of know-how and ongoing networking. This collaboration enhanced the program’s effectiveness and social impact.
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Workers Participation
The initiative was actively supported by 25 individuals (10 men and 15 women) who contributed their expertise as advisors, trainers, specialists, and volunteers. Among them, 19 come from the general population, 5 belong to the senior age group, and 1 worker is a person with a disability, demonstrating the cross-sectoral nature of the approach.
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Benefits for Οrganization
The program significantly expanded the social reach of knowl s.e., strengthening its network with public, private, and academic stakeholders, and establishing its position as an innovative entity in professional empowerment. The creation of effective connection networks with local government authorities (OTAs), private educational centers, schools, and large companies contributed to the consolidation of stable channels for future initiatives.
Connection with Global Goals
