kathimerini.gr
Greece Launches New Job Training Programs to Address Unemployment
The Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA) is launching new employment and training programs to address unemployment, particularly among women, young people (under 29), and older unemployed individuals (over 55), focusing on practical experience and subsidized employment.
- What are the key features of Greece's new employment and training programs?
- The programs aim to integrate unemployed individuals, especially women, young people under 29, and those over 55, into the workforce. A key element is incorporating practical training and on-the-job experience, with government subsidies for businesses employing trainees. This addresses previous program shortcomings where training lacked effective links to employment.
- What are the projected impacts and future plans related to these initiatives?
- Beyond the core programs, a parallel initiative will support young entrepreneurs. A program to grant up to €17,500 to 2,100 unemployed young people (under 29) to start businesses will launch this fall, using €37 million from the new ESPA. This builds on a previous successful program that exceeded expectations, indicating a potential for significant job creation and economic impact.
- How will these programs address the previously identified issue of insufficient connection between training and employment?
- The new programs will directly subsidize the employment of trainees, requiring training providers to actively place participants in jobs. This contrasts with previous programs, where thousands of unemployed individuals were trained without adequate job placement. Funding will primarily come from the ESPA and national resources, with potential additional EU funding.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article focuses on the positive aspects of the new employment and training programs, highlighting the government's efforts to address unemployment among specific groups. While it mentions the previous program's failure to connect trainees with jobs, this is presented as a past problem being addressed rather than a significant flaw in the system. The emphasis is on the potential success of the new programs and the substantial funding involved. This framing might lead readers to view the new programs more favorably, without fully appreciating the past challenges.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but certain phrases like "new generation of programs" and "creating a new generation of programs" suggest optimism and progress, which could be considered subtly biased. The description of the previous program's failure is presented factually but could be enhanced by including more critical perspectives.
Bias by Omission
The article omits potential criticisms of the programs, such as the cost-effectiveness or the potential for misuse of funds. It does not address possible drawbacks of the proposed solutions or alternative approaches. It focuses heavily on the government's perspective. While acknowledging past failures, it doesn't delve into the reasons for those failures or address systemic issues that may continue to hinder employment opportunities. The omission of dissenting voices or critical analysis might limit the reader's ability to form a fully informed opinion.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic eitheor framing, focusing on the success or failure of the programs without acknowledging the complexities of unemployment and job creation. The implication is that these new initiatives will solve the issues of unemployment, which might not necessarily be the case.
Gender Bias
The article mentions the need to support women, young people, and older unemployed individuals. While it acknowledges that women make up almost two-thirds of registered unemployed people, it doesn't go into detail about the reasons for this gender disparity. More analysis would be needed to determine if the language and focus on women are equitable. The description of the program's aim to support women could be seen as a positive, indicating awareness of gender disparity.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article focuses on new employment and training programs designed to address unemployment, particularly among women, young people (under 29), and older unemployed individuals (over 55). These programs aim to connect unemployed individuals with the labor market through internships, subsidized employment, and support for starting businesses. This directly contributes to SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth by promoting full and productive employment and decent work for all. The initiatives specifically target marginalized groups, further aligning with SDG 8's goals of reducing unemployment and promoting equal opportunities.