Improving the performance of youth on the labour market is a crucial challenge in OECD countries facing persistent youth unemployment. Whatever the level of qualification, first experiences on the labour market have a profound influence on later working life. This report on Greece contains a survey of the main barriers to employment for young people, an assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of existing measures to improve the transition from school to work, and a set of policy recommendations for further action by the public authorities and social partners. The report is based on the proceedings of a seminar and is published in English only. However, a French translation of the summary and main recommendations has been included in this volume.
-Summary and main recommendations -Résumé et principales recommandations -Introduction Chapter 1. The challenges ahead -1. Demographic projections -2. Youth labour market outcome -3. Labour market performance of specific socio-demographic groups -4. Key steps in school-to-work transitions: leaving education -5. The quality of entry jobs -6. Key points Chapter 2. Initial education and learning on the job -1. Performance of the Greek secondary education system -2. General measures to improve outcomes of Greek secondary education -3. Raising the profile and quality of vocational education and work-based learning -4. Drop-out remedy strategies -5. The main challenges facing the tertiary education system -6. Work and study -7. On-the-job training Chapter 3. Removing demand-side barriers -1. Economic growth and youth employment -2. Wages and labour costs -3. Employment protection is strict in Greece -4. Labour shortages and the skill deficit of Greek university graduates -5. Key points Chapter 4. Workforce development: remedial education and employability measures -1. The role of passive labour market measures for youth -2. The role of active labour market measures for youth -3. Activation of unemployed youth through training -4. Activation through subsidised employment -5. Better support to unemployed youth: Drawing from the experiences of other OECD countries -6. Key points Bibliography