Vasiliki Christidi graduated from university with the firm belief that it would be simple to find a job because she had a degree. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy and after several months, she was still unemployed.

“Greece had been so badly affected by the economic crisis that jobs were limited,” she explains. “Also employers required you to have years of work experience – which is impossible when you can’t get your first job.”

Vasiliki’s experience isn’t unique, but she refused to let it stop her. After learning that she qualified for the Youth Guarantee scheme, she decided to take advantage of the opportunities the scheme offered. “I took part in the training voucher programme for access to the labour market for persons not in education, employment or training (NEETs) aged 18-24. The voucher combined a blend of theoretical learning and on-the-job training.”

Her traineeship took place at TALIS Company, which specialises in human resources. The experience benefited her both professionally and personally, as Vasiliki describes. “I gained so much knowledge and it really improved my self-esteem. I was able to put what I learned during my studies into practice. I became more practical and more organised.”

Vasiliki is now employed at MASTER, a vocational education and training provider that offered her a job one month after she’d completed her traineeship. As an Assistant Project Manager, she works on EU-funded projects that match unemployed young people with jobs – an area where her own experience is a real asset. “Having been in their position, I’m aware of young people’s concerns and expectations. I want to consult with them, encourage them and help them to stay positive.”

“As both a person and an employee, it’s really satisfying when I can help them,” she concludes. “It’s a personal goal and it makes me really happy.”

About the programme

The Training voucher for access to the labour market for NEETs aged 18-24 programme is funded by the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and implemented by the ESF Actions Implementation Authority. The programme aims to provide 12,000 young unemployed people up to the age of 24 with a pathway to the labour market. The beneficiaries can benefit from vocational training, on-the-job training and subsidisation of social security contributions should the employer wish to hire them after the end of the training phase.

Youth unemployment in Greece

• As of May 2016, 50.3% of young people under 25 in Greece were unemployed.
• In Greece, the Youth Guarantee offers young people aged 15-24 employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving initial education

Find out more

• OAED
• Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare
• Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan (EL)