IEK (Greek: ΙΕΚ) is a Greek abbreviation name for the Ινστιτούτο Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης (Institute of Vocational Training).[4][5][6][7][8][9]
IEK was established in 1992[10] as a type of educational institution specifically to provide adultvocational education and training (VET) at the post-secondary education level (Greek: Μεταδευτεροβάθμια Εκπαίδευση) considered to be a body of "non-formal education" (φορέας μη τυπικής εκπαίδευσης). With the law 4763/2020 Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020[11][12] the IEK belongs to "formal education" (φορέας τυπικής εκπαίδευσης) and IEK graduates having Diploma of Vocational Education and Training at HQF level 5, after successful specific entrance examinations (κατατακτήριες εξετάσεις), allows to them admission into the higher education to an undergraduate programme relevant to their IEK programme specialty.[13][14][15] The IEK does not require entrance examinations for admission to its programmes.[16][17][18][19] IEK name variants include Post–Secondary Institute of Vocational Education and Training (PSIVET), Institute of Vocational Education and Training (IVET), and Institute of Professional Studies (IPS).[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]
Public and private IEK
Public IEK (Greek: Δ.Ι.Ε.Κ.) and private IEK (Greek: I.Ι.Ε.Κ.)[29] offer postsecondary courses accredited by Ministry of Education and the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP, Greek: Εθνικός Οργανισμός Πιστοποίησης Προσόντων και Επαγγελματικού Προσανατολισμού – Ε.Ο.Π.Π.Ε.Π.).[30][31]
There are approx. 90 regional Public IEK (Greek: ΔΙΕΚ) in the administrative regions of Greece, and also over 50 Private IEK (Greek: IIEK) administrated by EOPPEP entity, recognized by the Ministry of Education. Additionally, they also exist public IEKs of Ministry of Tourism[32] at which has hospitality and tourism specialties; of National Center for Emergency Care (EKAV);[33] of Ministry of Health;[34] of Public Employment Service (DYPA);[35][36][37][38][39][40] of Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DEMETER of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.[41] There is also the IIEK Energy Institute of the Public Power Corporation (DEI) in Kozani.[42][43] Generally, public IEKs operate afternoon starting by 15:00 pm consisted of borrowing day secondary education school's buildings for their lecture classes, and for their laboratory classes consisted of borrowing laboratories owned and sponsored by individual companies, however, laboratories are offered to the IEK by priority order subject to change depending on availability. Either private or public IEK is on a two terms (semesters) system per academic calendar year has the national education system (curriculum) set forth by the Ministry of Education of Greece. IEK students are being assessed during the semester in the form of progress test (πρόοδος), and the final examination test (εξεταστική) taken and the end of the semester. In prior years the Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) was also offered the IEK post lower secondary programmes that have been abolished,[6][10] where access in them had the students that have completed the gymnasium school.
With the Joint Ministerial Decree 3691/7-4-2014 (Government Gazette 945/B/15-4-2014) they founded the Special Education Public IEKs (Δ.Ι.Ε.Κ. Ειδικής Αγωγής), specifically the Special Education Public IEK Pylaias-Chortiati[44][45] and Special Education Public IEK Agias Paraskevis,[46] also with the Joint Ministerial Decree Κ1/5082/14-1-2015 (Government Gazette 89/Β/19-1-2015) they founded the Special Education Public IEK Volou and Special Education Public IEK Serron.[47][48] With the law 4763/2020[3][49] they founded the Experimental Public IEKs (Πειραματικά Δ.Ι.Ε.Κ.) and Thematic Public IEKs (Θεματικά Δ.Ι.Ε.Κ.).[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58]
Admission into a public IEK’s programme is selective, subject to fulfilling the entry criteria. It has to be granted on the basis of the upper secondary leaving certificate grade and other criteria include age, the social insurance stamps of applicants having prior employment relevant to the subject of the study applied for, and specific criteria on an individual basis will be assessed. All public IEKs are government-funded have free education, without any payment of tuition fee. Prescribed textbooks and some required materials are not provided by the public IEKs, and thus students (enrollees) will have to be purchased at their own cost, subject to the chosen specialty. The VAT number (ΑΦΜ, registration code for tax purposes) and SSRN (AMKA, Social Security Registration Number) are required from the student for its admission. Since its foundation in 1992, public IEKs were required by law from their students to pay up to €367 statutory tuition each semester until the 2012-2013 academic year, but has been apolished since the 2013-2014 academic year by Law 4186/2013, Chapter IV, Article 23(2), Government Gazette 193/Α/17-9-2013.[5] Admission into a private IEK’s programme is non-selective, meaning does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement having an open enrollment for those who have graduated from senior secondary school without further admission requirements, since all most private IEKs they are for-profit IEKs financed primarily through tuition fees received from students.
Practical training
As part of IEK curriculum, hence also being known as curricular practicum or 5th semester, IEK student must be complete a work placement.[67][59][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] The work placement is a paid contract CDD at an employment compulsory by law that is subsidized by the state. It can be an Internship (πρακτική) term:[75][76][77][78] 960 hours workplace’s work practice training considered upon 4th semester graduation or during 3rd or 4th semester; or it can be an Apprenticeship (μαθητεία) term: 192 hours Apprenticeship at IEK school (classes) 1 day per week with 8 hours per day and 768 hours Apprenticeship at a Work Placement 4 days per week with 8 hours per day considered upon fourth (4th) semester graduation,[67] unless otherwise is stated from the apprenticeship programme of study also known as Dual VET two-track education system (δυικό σύστημα επαγγελματικής εκπαίδευσης και κατάρτισης). Practical training, either internship or apprenticeship, can only be taken until the twenty four (24) months time limit since the IEK specialty fourth semester graduation.
However, the IEK programmes can also be offered with a shorter duration including 1200 hours at IEK school (classes) only for those students who having already obtained at least 120 social insurance stamps from working in employment corresponding to their IEK specialty, meaning it can to choose the right for exemption from a practical training.[69] Public ΙΕΚ school is not responsible for finding internships for its students, and it is determined individually by each public IEK student to find.
According to the regulation amendment for the Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) operation by the Ministry of Education, Article 3(B)[67] of the Ministerial Decision K1/54877 Government Gazette 1245/B/11-4-2017, a IEK specialty can operate an IEK Apprenticeship programme (scheme) when has intake at least ten IEK students (apprentices; Greek: μαθητευόμενοι) of specialty related to the apprenticeship and after an approval decision taken by the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, and Life-long Learning (GGEEK&DBM).
In the event that a number of student candidates from a public IEK specialty are greater than the available apprenticeship student positions offered, students being admitted based on Grade Point Average (GPA) of their marks earned in the public IEK third and fourth semester. The maximum number of students that can register in a given IEK Apprenticeship programme is up to thirty (30). Students must be off-term employment at the time of the apprenticeship enrollment and throughout the time period during which the apprenticeship is being carried out.[79]
Qualifications and accreditation
Certificate of Vocational Training
The Certificate of Vocational Training (Greek: Βεβαίωση Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης) signifies completion of four semesters of full-time post-secondary vocational education and training (VET) programme of 1200 hours at IEK classes and 960 hours from an internship or apprenticeship programme. Certificate of Vocational Training is also known as Attestation of Studies, Certificate of Completion, Certificate of Graduation, Certificate of Attendance.
Diploma of Vocational Education and Training / Accreditation
A Certificate Supplement[106][107][108][109][110] of Europass is available in Greek and English, awarded by the EOPPEP – National Europass Centre of Greece. It is a document that includes additional information and standardised description about the content and status of the qualification of studies, ensuring that qualifications are easily understood, especially the country where they were awarded, but not guarantee recognition – it is not a CV nor a substitute qualification for the original and does not have any legal status in itself. Students can submit their applications at the EOPPEP, which also issues the Certificate Supplement.
Organization
The IEK system of study is grouped into fields of study (sectors) which are further divided into departments and each department is then further subdivided into several schools of study (specialties). When a field of study does not have departments, the field is by without departments containing only schools. All IEK programmes of study (specialties) run in terms of demand and vary by different geographical locations depending on the decisions issued, while over time can be changed, updated, completely withdrawn, replaced or new can be launched.[111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118] The fields of study (academic disciplines) are:[119]
Agriculture, Food Technology, Nutrition
Applied Arts and Art Studies
Business Administration and Economics
Communication and Mass Media
Separate Programmes of Study
Hospitality and Tourism
Health and Welfare
Maritime Professions
Technology Applications
References
^"Presidential Decree 77/27-6-2023, Article 4(2), Government Gazette 130/A/27-6-2023"(PDF) (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 1 December 2023. The General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, Life-long Learning and Youth (GGEEKDBM&N) of the Ministry of Education, Religious and Sports has replaced its name with the name General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, and Life-long Learning (GGEEK&DBM)
^"Presidential Decree 84/2019, Article 6(2), Government Gazette 123/A/17-7-2019"(PDF). Hellenic Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (ELINYAE) (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 16 February 2021. Article 6(2) Presidential Decree 84/2019 Government Gazette 123/A/17-7-2019 was amended by the law 4763/2020 Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020
^ ab"Law 4763/2020 Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020"(PDF). Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 24 February 2021. Law 4763/2020 Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020: Page 19, Part I, Chapter V, Article 24, Foundation of Public Experimental IEKs and Public Thematic IEKs. Page 49, Part II, Chapter I, Article 78, General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, Life-long Learning and Youth (GGEEKDBM&N), Greek: Γενική Γραμματεία Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης, Κατάρτισης, Διά Βίου Μάθησης και Νεολαίας (Γ.Γ.Ε.Ε.Κ.Δ.Β.Μ.&Ν.)
^ abc"Law 4186/2013 Government Gazette 193/A/17-9-2013"(PDF). Ministry of Education (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 28 November 2020. Restructuring of Secondary Education and other provisions, Provisions for the transformation of Upper Secondary Schools of General (GEL) and Vocational (EPAL), Vocational Training Institutes (IEK) and Special Education structures. All students enrolled at public IEKs were paid certain mandatory student tuition of €367 each semester due at the time of enrollment each semester, which has been abolished since 2013-2014 academic year with Law 4186/2013, Chapter IV, Article 23(2), Government Gazette 193/Α/17-9-2013.
^ ab"Ministerial Decision 5954 Government Gazette 1807/B/2-7-2014"(PDF) (in Greek). Archived from the original(PDF) on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019. IEK programmes of two semesters and one internship for only lower secondary school (gymnasium) adult graduates, Law 2009/1992, Chapter I, Article 6(1)(a), Government Gazette 18/Α/14-2-1992, has been abolished by Ministerial Decision 5954, Chapter III, Article 9(2), Government Gazette 1807/B/2-7-2014 which has been amended by Law 4763/2020, Chapter V, Article 22(1)(a), Article 25(1)(a), Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020
^ ab"Law 2009/1992, Chapter I, Article 4, 5, 6, Government Gazette 18/Α/14-2-1992"(PDF). Hellenic Air Force Academy (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 15 April 2021. Law 2009/1992, Chapter I, Article 6(1)(a), Government Gazette 18/Α/14-2-1992, IEK programmes of two semesters and one internship for only lower secondary school (gymnasium) adult graduates. This has been amended (discontinued) by Ministerial Decision 5954, Chapter III, Article 9(2), Government Gazette 1807/B/2-7-2014.
^"Law 4763/2020, Chapter VII, Article 43 and 44, Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020"(PDF). Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). 21 December 2020. Law 4763/2020, Chapter VII, Article 43 & 44, Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020, for Matriculation and Admission to the Higher Education (Level 6). Matriculation is the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements such as a matriculation examination.
^"Law 4763/2020 Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020". Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). National System of Vocational Education, Training, Life-long Learning and Youth, implement into the Greek legislation of the Directive (EU) 2018/958 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 on a proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions (EE L 173). Ratification of the agreement between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Greek-German Institute of Youth and other provisions.
^"Hellenic Qualification Framework (HQF) of Greece". NQF.gov.gr (in Greek and English). Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. The National Qualification Framework (NQF) of Greece is named Hellenic Qualification Framework (HQF), Greek: Εθνικό Πλαίσιο Προσόντων
^"Law 49/2022 Government Gazette 75/A/18-4-2022". Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. With the Law 49/2022, Part II, Chapter I, Article 3(1)(2), Government Gazette 75/A/18-4-2022, hitherto known as OAED – Workforce (or Manpower) Employment Organization (ΟΑΕΔ – Οργανισμός Απασχόλησης Εργατικού Δυναμικού) has changed its name to DYPA – Public Employment Service (ΔΥΠΑ – Δημόσια Υπηρεσία Απασχόλησης)
^"2021‒2022 academic year: launch of the public IEKs of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER". Elgo (in Greek). Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021. The public IEKs of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization DEMETER (formerly National Agricultural Research Foundation – NAGREF) of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food founded with the Common Ministerial Decision 5570/19-7-2021 of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, published in the Government Gazette 3688/Β/10-8-2021
^"Competence Authorities reporting undeclared work in Greece". ec.europa.eu. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021. Also, the European Labour Authority (ELA) assists national authorities in EU Member States to help ensure that EU rules on labour mobility and social security coordination are enforced in a fair and effective way; coordinate and support concerted and joint inspections; support EU Member States in tackling undeclared work
^"Law 4250/2014 Government Gazette 74/Α/26-3-2014". Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). Law 4250/2014, Chapter I, Article 1, Government Gazette 74/Α/26-3-2014, Administrative simplifications-repeals, mergers of legal persons and public sector services - amendment of the provisions of the Presidential Decree 318/1992 Government Gazette 161/A/25-9-1992 and other arrangements. Under the law 4250/2014 documents of Greek government authorities submitted to other Greek government authorities are not required to be certified copies.
^ abc"Ministerial Decision K1/54877 Government Gazette 1245/B/11-4-2017"(PDF). Ministry of Education (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2019. Regulation Amendment for the Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) Operation administrated by the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training, Life-long Learning and Youth, Article 3(A) for IEK Internship, Article 3(B) for IEK Apprenticeship
^"IEK practical training at work placement (practicum):
Join Ministerial Decision K5/97484, Article 3, Government Gazette 3938/B/26-8-2021
Law 4763/2020, Part I, Chapter V, Article 27, Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020
Ministerial Decision K1/54877 Government Gazette 1245/B/11-4-2017
Join Ministerial Decision 139931/2015 Government Gazette 1953/Β/10-9-2015
Ministerial Decision 5954/2014, Article 3, Government Gazette 1807/Β/2-7-2014
Law 4186/2013, Article 23, Government Gazette 193/Α/17-9-2013"
^ ab"Law 4763/2020, Part I, Chapter V, Article 27, Government Gazette 254/A/21-12-2020"(PDF). Hellenic Parliament (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 24 February 2021. Article 27, IEK students are exempted from having the obligation to have practical training at workplace either in term of IEK internship or IEK apprenticeship. Exemption can be granted after an approval decision from the IEK school director. A student's application and a solemn declaration of the article 8 of the law 1599/1986 are required to be submitted to the IEK school.
^Decision Y1γ/Γ.Π./οικ. 35797/4-4-2012 Government Gazette 1199/B/11-4-2012. Ministry of Health (in Greek). Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Ho.Re.Ca school students and Ho.Re.Ca employees (Hotel, Restaurant, Cafe – Greek: Ξενοδοχείο, Εστιατόριο, Καφετέρια) are obligated to hold a valid specific Medical Check Certificate for Ho.Re.Ca Service Occupations issued by the State of Greece Public Health Service (Greek state hospitals) qualifies the holder for five (5) years validity compliance with the health and safety legislative requirements. Such certificate includes chest radiograph picture (X-ray), urine routine, stool routine, stool culture [salmonella spp], blood testing, blood pressure measurement, or even hepatitis A virus testing. An employer/school must keep confidential on personal file for employees/students a copy of their medical check certificates for Ho.Re.Ca service. Employees/students are recommended to carry their medical check certificates (or a copy) with them while on duty.
^"Join Ministerial Decision K5/97484, Article 3, Government Gazette 3938/B/26-8-2021"(PDF) (in Greek). Archived(PDF) from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021. The IEK student from 2021‒2022 academic year at a DYPA-sponsored (formerly OAED, state subsidized) 960 hours internship placement it will receive the 80% of the entry-level employee's least monthly salary, during it will have e-EFNKA [former IKA-ETAM] social security subscription only for an accident incident paid by employer according to the Law 2217, Article 10(1), Government Gazette 83/A/31-5-1994.
^"Hospitality Employees' least monthly salary with effect from 16 June 2021". Protothema. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. According to the Government Gazette 2546/B/16-6-2021, Hospitality Employees' least monthly salary with effect from 16 June 2021 are (I) from €792 will be raised to €863 and (II) €740 for monthly salary for entry-level newly-hired employees until 15th month of employment, with the two categories I and II in application of collective agreement which is mandatory
^"Greece Open Data Government". Greece Data Government (in Greek and English). Central directory of public data that provides access to databases of Greek government authorities in according to the European Union guide of 2013/37/ΕU
^"Greece Geodata Government" (in Greek and English). Open geospatial data and services, National open data catalogue, Developed in the context of the EU-funded project PublicaMundi, as well as the international Open Source community
^"Greece Geodata Government Maps" (in Greek and English). Map Quest, OpenStreetMap, Map Quest Satellite, Google Maps Satellite, Bing Map Aerial, Bing Map Aerial with Labels, Bing Map Road, Stamen Toner, Stamen Watercolor
^"The NQF, EQF, and ISCED level systems are learning-outcomes-based qualification frameworks have reference levels used for the purpose of measuring educational attainment cover formal education and non-formal education recognized programmes which are designed within a national context. It is both a reflection of study load and an indication of a qualification holder’s knowledge, skills and learning outcomes describing what a learner knows, understands and is able to do. This will enable an easier comparison between national qualifications"
^"Ministry of Education: Language Competency Qualification Titles and Methods of Proof". Ministry of Education. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021. Europass curriculum vitae is also especially for the foreign language level. The good language level is at level B2. A formal foreign language competency certificate, at the time of submission attached to an application, it must to be issued not more than twelve (12) consecutive months before the date of submission. The formal foreign language competency certificate has a twelve consecutive months validity limit for use from the completion of the time has issued. After its last day of validity this competency certificate expires loses its validity and is void.
^"Guides for IEK Specialties – All the courses for each specialty – Latest Updates". gsvetlly.minedu.gov.gr. GGEEKDBM&N. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023. IEK specialties (previous) with relation to the Law 2009/1992 Government Gazette 18/A/14-2-1992, IEK Specialties with relation to the Law 4186/2013 Government Gazette 193/A/17-9-2013, Latest updates