Western Macedonia hosted another important step towards enhancing employability and skills development with the organization of the 1st Networking Workshop with the Stakeholders in Western Macedonia, held by METAVASI S.A., as part of the initiative ” Skills Development and Employment Center in the Just Transition Development Areas,” funded by the European Union through the Just Transition Development Program 2021-2027.
The event took place on Monday, November 18, at the Kovendareio Municipal Council Hall in Kozani, gathering professionals, unemployed individuals, students, as well as representatives from businesses and local authorities. The workshop included thematic sessions, speeches, and workshops, promoting the alignment of skills with the demands of the modern labour market and supporting sustainable employment.
Dynamic Start with Greetings and Speeches
The event was opened by the CEO of METAVASI S.A., Mrs. Despoina Garani, who emphasized the importance of developing skills linked to employment prospects in post-lignite areas and encouraged participants to take advantage of the services provided by the Skills Centers.
Following this, greetings were delivered by the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, who stated: “Our main goal is to strengthen employment through sustainable strategies that meet the needs of the local market. The Skills Centers will be the core connection between the workforce and the new post-lignite economy.”
Additional greetings were given by the Director of EYDAM, Mr. Pelopidas Kalliris; the representative of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission, Mr. Nasos Sofos; the Mayor of Kozani, Mr. Lazaros Kokkaliaris; the Vice-Rector for Public Relations of the University of Western Macedonia, Mrs. Eleni Griva; and Mr. Dimitris Mavromatidis, Director of the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia from the Regional Authority.
The Program Focused on the Needs of the Labour Market
The event included:
- A roundtable discussion on aligning skills with the needs of the local labour market, with the participation of representatives from academia, business, and the social sector.
- Thematic workshops on developing self-presentation skills and preparing for job interviews, with a focus on the practices of the LifeComp framework.
The event was highly successful, with dozens of interested participants and active involvement from representatives of businesses, organizations, and institutions promoting collabouration to strengthen the local economy and society.
This initiative highlighted the potential of the Skills Centers as key mechanisms for enhancing employment, networking, and professional development in the in the Just Transition Development Areas.
With the support of the government and the European Union, and the active participation of local authorities, Western Macedonia is steadily moving towards a future of opportunities, innovation, and cooperation.
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