UNICEF Greece Country Office and the Public Employment Service (DYPA) present the U-Talent programme in Larissa

ATHENS, 13 March 2026 – The presentation event of the U-Talent programme, held on 11 March at the Municipal Gallery of Larissa – G.I. Katsigras Museum, highlighted the important role of skills development for young people and the need to strengthen cooperation between vocational education and the labour market. The event brought together students, teachers as well as representatives from local authorities and the business community, who exchanged views on young people’s employment prospects.

Opening the event, Stefanos Polymenopoulos, Deputy Governor of the Public Employment Service (DYPA), underlined the importance of supporting young people in developing skills and strengthening the connection between education and the labour market, as well as the value of the collaboration with UNICEF in implementing the U-Talent programme.

During the discussion titled “Empowering Young People for the Jobs of the Future,” speakers shared experiences and proposals on how young people can successfully navigate their transition into the labour market.

Christos Agoritsas, Deputy Mayor for Education of the Municipality of Larissa, highlighted the municipality’s efforts to support young people through initiatives that strengthen learning opportunities, skills development and links with the labour market, emphasising the importance of collaboration with educational institutions and organisations such as the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and UNICEF.

Kelly Gerostergiou, Head of Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeship Schools of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) in Thessaly, stressed that vocational education can be a strong pathway to employment, particularly when it fosters skills such as adaptability, responsibility and teamwork.

Glyka Domouzi, a teacher at the Apprenticeship School (EPAS) in Larissa, spoke about everyday classroom experience, noting that students need support not only in technical skills but also in social skills such as communication, confidence and teamwork.

From the labour market perspective, Vasilis Vasilikos, representing a private company, highlighted the importance of qualities such as consistency, willingness to learn and practical experience, noting the positive experience of working with apprentices and graduates of the EPAS schools.

Fotis Gardanos, a graduate of the EPAS Larissa school, shared his personal journey in vocational education, emphasising that the practical experience and skills he gained helped him take his first steps into the labour market.

Finally, Anna-Maria Vlachou, a member of the UNICEF Children and Youth Advisory Board (CYAB), highlighted the importance of young people participating in initiatives that amplify their voices and help them build skills and confidence for the future.

In the second part of the event, the digital tool of the U-Talent programme was presented, followed by an interactive testing session with students and trainers from the EPAS schools.

Participants agreed that close collaboration between education, local authorities and businesses is a key prerequisite for supporting young people’s smooth transition from education to the labour market.

U-Talent is a joint initiative of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and the UNICEF Greece Country Office, aiming to strengthen young people’s 21st-century and green skills so they are better prepared for the demands of the modern labour market.