With the aim of faster reintegration into the labor market of the unemployed facing the biggest employment obstacles, the Public Employment Service (DBA) has implemented programs for the last six years, which subsidize the creation of new jobs for vulnerable social groups. At the same time, it enhances counseling and vocational training.
In this context, the DEPA It works with the General Secretariat for the Citizenship of the Ministry of Citizen Protection and are developing vocational training programs for prisoners to prepare for their social and work reintegration.
Based on the data for the period from July 2019 to June 2025, 800 prisoners have participated in 38 vocational training programs. Currently, 6 programs are in progress, with 115 participants and, for the next period, are in designing 26 programs, which will be addressed to 475 prisoners.
Also, from 2019 until today, 97 released people have been hired in businesses through subsidized DBA actions.
The Vocational Training programs are implemented, through the DBA lifelong learning centers and have been held in the penitentiary stores of ‘Venta, Domokou, Grevena, Eleonas Thebes, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Kassandra Halkidiki, Corfu, Corfu, Corfu, Corfu, Corfu Trikala, Chania and Drama.
DBA training programs respond to the needs of local economies and provide prisoners and prisoners with the knowledge and skills in specialties such as building preserver, cooking art-pastry, hairdressing art, gypsum board, PC skills.
In addition, with EPOSDOD, the DBA has already completed a Vocational Training Program for 20 released in the specialty of “Technicians Assistants”, based on a relevant Memorandum of Cooperation.
DBA also invests in information through targeted career workshops, such as the one recently held at the 2nd Korydallos Second Chance School. Specifically, as part of the actions for the social reintegration of special and vulnerable groups, in May 2025, a career in the 2nd School of Second Opportunity of Korydallos “Georgios Zouganelis” was organized in May 2025.
In addition to the training and upgrading of prisoners’ skills, the DBA has designed employment programs that provide incentives to businesses to hire release, thereby facilitating their smooth reintegration into the labor market.
Indicative examples are two specific private sector employer grant programs to hire unemployed released people, implemented from 2019 until today.
One program concerned the support of employers to hire 2,000 people who belonged to vulnerable groups of the population, including released individuals.
The duration of the program was for 12 months, with the possibility of expanding for another 12.
The amounts of the monthly salary and insurance contributions for full -time positions were set at 90% of the total cost.
The program hired 39 released individuals.
The second grant program is aimed at undertaking to hire 3,000 unemployed, belonging to specific and vulnerable social groups, including released individuals.
The duration of the program was set at 24 months, and the employer’s obligation to maintain the job for 8 months was also provided after the grant.
The amounts of the monthly salary and employment contributions are 75% of total costs.
DBA’s working counselors indicate to the business candidates from the digital register of unemployed, in accordance with the conditions of the program and the required qualifications of the requested position.
Until June 2025, through this program, 58 released people were hired, receiving substantial support for their efforts for social and professional reintegration.
According to DBA officials, the immediate planning includes the implementation of a new employer grant program to support the employment of the released as a continuation of the interventions aimed at enhancing social cohesion.
Spyros Protopsaltis in RES-EIA: Supporting the most vulnerable groups of the population is a priority
Speaking to RES-EIA, the DBA commander, Spyros Protopsaltis, states that the support of the most vulnerable groups of the population is a stable and non-negotiable priority of the DBA.
“With consistency and social responsibility, we are constantly investing in training and enhancing the employment of our prisoners and released fellow citizens, offering them essential opportunities for reintegration and personal development,” Mr Protopsaltis said.
Indeed, he points out that the positive response of prisoners to Vocational Training programs, implemented by the DBA in prison shops throughout Greece, proves that, when allowed, the will to progress is real and strong.
As he notes, in six years, 38 training programs have already been completed with 800 participants, 6 are in progress with 115 participants, while 26 new programs are in the design stage for 475 prisoners.
“This response is not only a quantitative element, but a clear indication of prisoners’ desire to acquire meaning and perspective skills.
At the same time, through specialized private sector employers’ grant programs, 97 released people have already been hired from 2019 until today, a gradual number and is tangible proof that our interventions are fruitful, ”commented Mr Protopsaltis.
And he adds: “Beyond these actions, we are not limited to vocational training and employment. DBA is implementing targeted information workshops, such as the one recently held at the 2nd Korydallu Second Chance School, giving the detainees of vocational guidance and access to information. “
“Our goal is one: let’s not leave anyone behind. Every prisoner and every release who is enhanced by knowledge, training and work is a victory of social policy and a step closer to a society with no exclusion and stereotypes.
We continue with plan, consistency and dedication to our mission, with the aim of expanding participation and further increasing jobs.
With emphasis on practice and not words, we strengthen our fellow citizens who want and deserve a second chance, ”says Protopsaltis.
Emphasis on continuous support
At the same time, in May 2024, the new Bureau of Special Social Groups (GEKO) in Patision, which was formed in a place that remained closed since 2012, began its operation, when it was owned by the DBA by the Labor Organization (AEF).
In 2023 it was decided to use for the benefit of the unemployed, who belong to vulnerable social groups.
The project, with a budget of EUR 744,000, was completed at a final cost of EUR 586,246 in less than 10 months.
Every second Wednesday of the month operates with an extended hours to host specific actions to improve the work integration of these groups. Specialized scientists provide information and support to various vulnerable groups of the population.
The operation of the site is part of the DBA interventions to support citizens belonging to specific and vulnerable social groups, including release.
Through the provision of information and specialized information on training, employment and entrepreneurship, as well as through personalized support, they facilitate their integration into the labor market and their autonomy.