WRITTEN QUESTION P-2948/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 September 2000)

Subject: Lack of effectiveness and transparency at OEEK in Greece

Serious doubts and questions have been raised concerning the operational methods of the Organisation for Vocational Education and Training (OEEK) in Greece, particularly with regard to the handling of appropriations from the second CSF. I have learnt that the spot check carried out by the Commission (into vocational training in Ilioupolis) revealed shortcomings including deficiencies in text-books and books (the teaching staff handed out two pages of notes per hour of training), the absence of any monitoring system to measure the numbers of students successful in finding work, obsolete computers and word-processing software which did not support Greek characters.

In addition, OEEK's publicity campaign led to unfair competition since it made no reference at all to private vocational training institutes.

The organisation's negative image has been exacerbated by articles in the press, asking questions about how, shortly before the national elections last April, a stockbroking company named S&K Stockbroking Company was set up by the former president and managing director of OEEK, who at the time was performing his duties normally.

In view of the above, could the Commission say:

1. whether to its knowledge there are any instances of lack of transparency in OEEK's handling of Community appropriations?

2. what its view is concerning the organisation's operations to date? Could it also say how effective the vocational training educational programmes are?

3. What action does it intend to take to ensure that this organisation's reputation is restored?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2000)

The structural funds co-funded the activities of the Greek organisation for vocational education and training (OEEK) and the operation of the public institutes for vocational training (IEK) through the operational programme Education and initial training of the Community support framework 1994-1999 for Greece.

During a control at OEEK in March 1998, the Commission found some shortcomings of the type mentioned by the Honourable Member, as well as a number of technical issues (e.g. non-declaration of trainees' fees, non-declaration of the total cost of actions). According to the procedures in place the Commission submitted its report to the Greek authorities and asked them to take all necessary corrective measures. The Commission did not find any lack of transparency in OEEK's management of Community appropriations.

OEEK was created in 1992 and has considerably expanded since that date. It offers informal initial post-secondary vocational training and is the official Greek certification agency for initial vocational training. Today, OEEK has under its direct responsibility about 140 public institutes for vocational training (IEK), spread all over Greece, and supervises the operation of the private ones. It offers more than 110 vocational courses and has about 30 000 trainees, while the number of graduates is estimated at about 70 000. At the end of 1999, the evaluator of the operational programme Education and initial training carried out an ad hoc assessment of OEEK's operation up to that date. According to the report the effectiveness of OEEK's vocational training programmes is on the whole good. Despite existing operational shortcomings, which need to be overcome, the Commission is of the opinion that there is no reason for concern about OEEK's operation and believes that overall OEEK is a useful institution offering numerous training possibilities to secondary education graduates, who do not enter tertiary education.

The Commission will nevertheless continue to monitor the implementation of the European social fund (ESF) programmes in Greece, including those operated by OEEK, and will not hesitate to launch all the relevant controls where necessary.

In the new programming period 2000-2006, the Commission will continue to support some of OEEK's activities and will pay particular attention to the improvement of the quality of the services offered and their linkage with labour market needs.