The main providers of post-secondary, initial vocational training are the  Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK). 

Pursuant l. 4763/2020 on the national system for  Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong learning and  l. 5082/2024 on the enhancement of VET, higher vocational training schools operate in the context of formal education leading to certificates recognised at national level by the public authorities.

Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) aim at:

1. providing initial vocational training to graduates of non-compulsory secondary education, ie general upper secondary schools (GEL) and vocational upper secondary schools (EPAL), as well as to holders of equivalent degrees and
2. providing corresponding qualifications to the trainees, with the teaching of scientific, technical, professional and practical knowledge and the cultivation of appropriate skills, in order to facilitate their professional integration and to ensure their adaptation to the changing needs of the production process.

Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) operate as flexible bodies for the continuous provision, adjustment and modernization of the qualifications of the human resources. Their mission is to provide essential and standard professional knowledge tools and qualifications in order to facilitate the mobility of employees, while strengthening economy and contributing to the growth of productivity. 

Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) may be public or private.  Attendance at public Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) is free of charge. 

Public Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) encompassing responsibilities, positions, personnel and infrastructure, constitute decentralised services of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports.Τhey fall under the authority of the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning, which exercises their supervision.

Specialised Vocational Training Schools for people with disabilities may be established, based on the development of specialised studies proposed by the Central Scientific Committee of the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning. 

Furthermore, ten (10) Experimental and five (5) Thematic Higher Vocational Training Schools have been established. 

The mission of the Experimental SAEK is to promote the development and trial implementation of an innovative operational model, based on specific requirements, with a focus on educational methodology, teaching staff, targeted specialties, modern teaching aids, infrastructure, laboratory equipment and quality management system.

The specific mission of each Thematic SAEK is the pilot development and promotion of specialised vocational training specialties, corresponding to targeted growth sectors of the economy,  through the implementation of innovative operational methods and the adoption of best international practices.

One hundred and twenty-four (124) public SAEK operate in the largest cities of the country, offering specialties and organising departments corresponding to the needs of the economy at both national and regional level, as well as to the recommendations of the competent educational authorities and involved stakeholders. Additionally, SAEK operate in two correctional facilities of the country.

Specifically, public SAEK may operate with an annual total number of students/trainees not exceeding one hundred (100) in remote, insular, border regions, as well as in regional units with a population of fewer than fifty thousand (50,000) inhabitants.

Post-secondary year – apprenticeship class

The Post Secondary year/Apprenticeship Class, which is optional, is part of the post-upper secondary vocational training level. The apprenticeship class constitutes an education path that, upon completion and relevant certification exams leads to level 5 of the National Vocational Education and Training System (ESEEK).

In the Post-secondary year/Apprenticeship class the apprenticeship methodology is applied, which includes: 

1. work-based learning period for at least fifty percent (50%) of the total duration of the program
2. specialty laboratory courses which are conducted at the School Laboratories of the vocational upper secondary schools (EPAL) or at Laboratory Centers (EK). 

The vocational upper secondary school (EPAL) is responsible for the implementation of the Post Secondary year/Apprenticeship class.

The purposes of the Post-Secondary Year - Apprenticeship Class are, among others, the following:

1. the provision of initial vocational training services to graduates of non-compulsory secondary vocational education, as well as to holders of equivalent qualifications, who possess a basic level of knowledge, skills and competences,
2. the upgrading of the professional qualifications of the graduates of the non-compulsory secondary vocational education, through a learning path that utilizes the existing professional knowledge, skills and abilities,
3. the further enhancement of the opportunities for the integration of the graduates of the non-compulsory secondary vocational education in the labor market, through the acquisition of work experience utilizing the apprenticeship methodology.

Colleges

Post-secondary non-tertiary education includes Colleges. Colleges are private institutions and provide non-formal post-secondary education and training services. Study programmes are based on validation and franchising agreements with higher education institutions located abroad and recognised by the respective authorities of their country. The progammes they offer lead to bachelor degrees, which last at least 3 years, or master degrees. 

In the category of colleges are also included providers of non-formal post-secondary education and training services, whose study programs lead to a postgraduate/master degree, provided that these specific programs have been accredited by international accreditation organizations.
 

Pursuant to l. 4093/2012 and l. 4111/2013,  degrees, qualifications, credentials, certificates and any other documentation administered by colleges are professional equivalent to higher education qualifications gained through the formal Greek education system. 
 

Admission requirements and choice of school

Higher Vocational Training Schools

Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) can be attended by graduates of upper secondary school, General or Vocational or by holders of equivalent qualifications. Vocational training at the Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) begins either in the winter or spring semester, lasts a minimum of four (4) and may not exceed a total of five (5) semesters, in accordance with the Training Guides of the specialty, including the period of internship or apprenticeship.

The training of graduates from secondary vocational education, as well as holders of equivalent vocational education qualifications, lasts from two (2) to three (3) semesters at the Vocational Training Institutes (SAEK), including a period of internship or apprenticeship, provided that the qualification concerns a specialty within the vocational sector from which they graduated from the EPAL or an equivalent secondary vocational education institution.

Graduates of public and private SAEK and graduates of the Post-Secondary Year – Apprenticeship Class of EPAL may be admitted to related specialties of SAEK, with exemption from courses they have already attended. Each trainee may attend only one specialty at one SAEK throughout the duration of the training, including the interniship or apprenticeship. Trainees are not allowed to enroll in and attend other institutions of secondary or post-secondary education and training simultaneously. For trainees from EU countries or third countries, knowledge of the Greek language at a minimum level of B1 is required.

Post-secondary year – apprenticeship class

In the Post-secondary- Apprenticeship Class, students are enrolled in the following order of priority: 

a) holders of a diploma and a degree from vocational upper secondary schools (EPAL) and the Unified Special vocational secondary and upper secondary school (ENEEGY-L), as well as holders of equivalent degrees in related specialties.

b) holders of a general upper secondary school (GEL)  graduation certificate and of a degree from vocational upper secondary school  (EPAL) in related specialties.

Age levels and classification of trainees

Higher Vocational Training Schools

Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) are attended by secondary level graduates who usually are 18 years or older.  

Aiming at the uninterrupted monitoring and completion of the training in public (SAEK) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, it is possible to grant scholarships to trainees based on social and economic criteria.

By decision of the General Secretary of  Vocational Education, Training and  Lifelong Learning alignment of specialties between vocational upper secondary  schools (EPAL) and SAEK may be determined for enrollment in  SAEK.

Post-secondary year – apprenticeship class

According to l. 4763/2020, the Post-Secondary Year - Apprenticeship Class is addressed to the graduates of secondary vocational education institutions of non-compulsory formal education, using a scoring process defined by the relevant Regulation. The age of the apprentices is, therefore, from 18 years and over.

Access to Level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Graduates of SAEK and the Post-Secondary Apprenticeship Year, who, upon successful completion of the initial vocational training certification exam, hold a Level 5 Vocational Qualification Diploma of the National Qualifications Framework or an equivalent title,may be admitted to Departments of Higher Education Institutions in a specialty related to that of the aforementioned diploma. The above-mentioned Diploma holders must, prior to their enrollment in the SAEK, also hold a High School Leaving Certificate.

Admission of graduates from SAEK and the Post-secondary Apprenticeship Year is conducted exclusively through competitive placement examinations, organised under the supervision of the Higher Education Institution (AEI) consisting of essay-based assessments in three (3) subjects from the curriculum of the receiving department. 

Organisation of the school year

Higher Vocational Training Schools

The SAEK Operating Regulation sets out provisions regarding the educational framework, the academic year and training semesters, enrollment procedures, transfers, and attendance. It also addresses the organization and quality assurance of SAEK, as well as specific issues related to administration and teaching staff.

According to the above-mentioned Regulation, the academic year in Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) begins on September 1st and ends on August 31st of the following year.It consists of two training semesters: the Winter Semester and the Spring Semester.The Winter Training Semester begins on the first Monday of October each year and ends on February 14th of the following year. The Spring Training Semester begins on February 16th each year, or on the next working day, and ends on June 30th of the same year.

Admission, enrollment and transfer of trainees

The specialties offered each year by the Higher Vovational Training Schools (SAEK), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, are announced by the Directorate for the Implementation of Vocational Training by May 30th of each year. The selection of trainees for SAEK may be conducted through the following procedures: 

a) by completing a parallel admission preference form by final-year students and candidates of the Panhellenic Examinations,

b) by submitting a selection application through the special information system of the General Secretariat for Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning.

The candidate referred to in case (b), for admission to the Public SAEK of their choice, may indicate up to five (5) preferences in total on their application, in order of priority.

Successful candidates are required to finalize their enrollment at the SAEK to which they have been admitted by submitting the required documents declared in their application.

The finalization of enrollment for successful candidates may also be carried out electronically, either by submitting the required documents online or through an online registration process. Each trainee may finalize their enrollment in only one (1) SAEK, either Public or Private, and in only one specialty. All enrolled trainees are recorded in the SAEK Training Management Information System.

The enrollment process is completed by the last day before the start of classes.

Graduates of secondary vocational education (EPAL), as well as holders of equivalent qualifications, may enroll in the 3rd semester, provided that the qualification is in a specialty of the professional sector from which they graduated from EPAL or an equivalent secondary vocational education institution, without the right to exemption from courses of the subsequent semesters. These candidates submit an application to the SAEK they wish to attend, accompanied by an identity verification document and their specialty diploma, from September 1st to September 30th of each year.

A trainee wishing to transfer to a public SAEK under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports may do so by submitting an application to the SAEK they wish to attend: a) for the winter semester from September 1st to September 30th of each year, b) for the spring semester after the release of the winter semester training attendance results and before the start of classes for the spring semester.

A necessary condition for a trainee's transfer is that the specialty in which the trainee is enrolled, is offered in the corresponding training semester at the SAEK to which they wish to transfer, and that there are available positions in the program.

Post-secondary year – apprenticeship class

The Post-Secondary Year - Apprenticeship program starts on September 1st of each year and ends on August 31st of the following year. The period of providing the specialty laboratory courses may start on October 1st. The work-based learning period can take place from October 1st of each year to August  31st of the following year. The program is considered complete upon the fulfillment of the hours for the specialty's laboratory course and the  duration of workplace learning, as  specified in the Specialty's Training Guide.

The workplace learning program lasts eight (8) hours per day, and the allocation between the specialty’s laboratory course and the workplace learning program is defined in the Training Guide for each specialty. 

For the implementation of the Post-Secondary Year–Apprenticeship Class, a central Apprenticeship Class Management Information System is used, which supports all program implementation procedures and records all related data.

Organisation of the school day and week

Higher Vocational Training Schools

Vocational training at the Higher Vocational Training Schools (SAEK) begins either in the winter or spring semester, lasts a minimum of four (4) and may not exceed a total of five (5) semesters, in accordance with the Training Guides of the specialty, including the period of internship or apprenticeship.

The training of graduates from secondary vocational education, as well as holders of equivalent vocational education qualifications, lasts from two (2) to three (3) semesters at the Vocational Training Institutes (SAEK), including a period of internship or apprenticeship, provided that the qualification concerns a specialty within the vocational sector from which they graduated from the EPAL or an equivalent secondary vocational education institution.

Each training semester includes the period during which courses are conducted, according to the Training Guides, as well as the period during which final examinations take place. A semester’s training is considered complete when all the scheduled teaching hours have been fulfilled, as outlined in the Training Guide for each specialty.

Each teaching hour for all courses is set at forty-five (45) minutes. The maximum number of teaching hours is limited to eight (8) hours per training day.

All courses take place within the operating hours of the SAEK, which are from 13:00 to 21:00. Laboratory courses or the laboratory part of a mixed course may be conducted in the morning only when the laboratory facility outside the SAEK is not available during its operating hours. 

Public SAEK are housed on the premises of Secondary Education school units, laboratory centres and school laboratories, as well as other buildings that meet the relevant requirements, following decisions granting the necessary operating premises by the competent authority in each case. 

Public SAEK may also have laboratories for providing laboratory training.

The  post-secondary year – apprenticeship class is addressed to holders of upper secondary school leaving certificate and vocational upper secondary school diploma and includes the following:

A. The workplace-based learning program: It may take place from October 1st until August 31st of each year, with a maximum duration of 172 calendar days (in order for the program to be considered complete), including 12 days of paid leave. The program consists of thirty-two (32) working hours per week, distributed over four (4) days, eight (8) hours per day, excluding weeks that include public holidays and the period during which the employer’s business remains closed. It is noted that the granting of paid leave (12 working days) is mandatory before the end of the apprenticeship contract, or proportional leave in the event of early termination of the contract.

The workplace-based learning program is implemented in accordance with the Apprenticeship Training Guide for each specialty. It includes knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as complete professional activities/tasks and constitutes an annex to the Apprenticeship Contract.The apprentice does not attend the workplace on the day of the specialty's laboratory course.In cases where the program is not carried out on certain days for any reason, this results in an extension of the Apprenticeship Contract's duration. Exceeding the daily working hours beyond those specified in the Apprenticeship Contract is not permitted.

B. The specialty laboratory course:  It may be conducted starting from October 1st and is taught one (1) day per week for seven (7) teaching hours by teaching staff of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, in Laboratory Centers (EK) and/or in the Vocational Upper Secondary School (EPAL) Laboratories, outside the regular operating hours of EPAL. On the day that the specialty laboratory course is conducted, the apprentices of the class do not attend the workplace.

The daily duration of the specialty laboratory course is set at seven (7) teaching hours/periods, each lasting forty (40) minutes, with a five-minute break between each period. The content and total duration of the specialty laboratory course are defined in the corresponding Apprenticeship Training Guide. No teaching takes place during the Christmas, Easter, or summer vacation periods.

The program is considered complete upon the completion of the hours of the specialty laboratory course and the workplace-based learning days, as defined in the Training Guide for each specialty.