Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Hellenic Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED) join forces to fight unemployment in Greece.
The two parties signed a memorandum of cooperation to reduce the digital gap in Greece and train those who are currently unemployed. Focus will be given on enhancing skills in digital cloud technologies (cloud services), professional rehabilitation and strengthening the digital economy.
The first – pilot- joint action of OAED and AWS will be the free training in digital cloud technologies (cloud services) through modern, asynchronous education.
The first group will consist of unemployed with IT background that will be trained as trainers in digital cloud technologies.
The second and wider group will consist of unemployed, aiming to provide specialization in this cutting-edge sector. Those who have passed the training will receive certifications from AWS. Calls for participation will be announced shortly.
AWS will also help OAED upgrade its digital services.
Cameron Brooks, Amazon Web Services director of public sector in Europe, said: “As innovation powered by the AWS Cloud becomes the “new normality” for customers in Greece, companies seek to locate and hire talented executives to make the most of these opportunities. We look forward to playing a key role in this next step in the digital development of Greece. “
“The aim of this effective cooperation is to promote employment in the context of the digital economy through quality training in digital high-demand and cutting-edge skills” Spyros Protopsaltis, governor of OAED said.
A long way to go
Greece is one of the weakest links of the EU Digital Single Market.
Source: DESI 2020
In the EU Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020, the country ranks 27th out of the 28 EU Member States. It belongs to the low-performing group of countries along with Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus, and Slovakia.
Greece also ranks bottom among 100 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Readiness for the Future of Production Report, still classified as “emerging” by the WEF in terms of readiness to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The level of inequality of internet use is among the highest of OECD countries, the information industries do not add significantly to employment, and many jobs are at risk of automation relative to OECD countries, while the exposure to disinformation online is comparatively high (source: Greece’s Digital Challenges: what is to be done?, Charalambos Tsekeris, November 2020).
On a positive note, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be act as a catalyst for the technological upgrade in Greece.
