Applications Open for Subsidized Training Program Offering up to €1,725 Unemployment Benefit

A week ago, the third round of applications opened for approximately 5,000 adults with low educational qualifications from five geographical regions to participate in a counseling and certification program. According to an announcement by the Federation of Hellenic Industries (FHB), the training program lasts a total of 345 hours, including 270 hours of theoretical training and 75 hours of practical exercises. Participants receive an educational allowance of €5 per hour of training, up to €1,725 for completing the full program. The application process is conducted online. This initiative, titled ‘Comprehensive Intervention for Counseling Support, Training, and Certification for the Professional Enhancement of Unemployed Individuals with Low Educational Qualifications in High-Unemployment Areas of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, and Western Greece,’ is implemented under the Operational Program ‘Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021-2027.’ It includes personalized counseling guidance, theoretical training, practical exercises, and certification of professional knowledge for 4,984 unemployed individuals of any age registered with the Public Employment Service (OAED), who are permanent residents of the specified regions. Eligible participants must be unemployed residents of these regions, registered as unemployed with OAED, regardless of whether they receive unemployment benefits. They must have completed mandatory education (at least high school or elementary school for those graduating before 1980) and not hold student or academic status. Graduates of Vocational Education Institutes (IEK) must have passed their certification exams. Detailed information about the program and guidelines for completing the application can be found on the project’s official website. The initiative is funded by the European Union (European Social Fund – ESF) within the framework of the ‘Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021-2027’ Program and by national resources through the Public Investment Program (PIP). Source: APE-MPE.