ESCO - MATCHING
DYPA adopts the new European system of classification of occupations and skills ESCOO
The Manpower Employment Organisation integrates the European system of Classification of Skills/Abilities, Qualifications and Occupations ESCO through the "MATCHING" project. It is the first organization to introduce in Greece (and offer for free) this innovative tool, which contains information on occupations, skills/abilities, qualifications, but also knowledge, using a single coding between users, inside and outside of the Greek territory. ESCO will also be integrated into the EURES network service platform to support the matching of jobseekers with jobs.
- The ESCO classification system
With the purpose of providing improved job search and job-finding services across the EU, the European Commission has developed the online platform European Classification of Skills/ Competences, Qualifications and Occupations/ESCO.
Thanks to ESCO, in 2021, Member States will communicate in a common language for occupations, skills/competences and qualifications. ESCO is available in 27 languages.
Its first full version (ESCO v1) was published in 2017.
Its most recent version is available through the ESCO platform. ESCO currently covers 2,942 occupations, 13,485 skills/competences, and will progressively introduce information related to qualifications.
- Advantages
Matching job seekers and jobs:
Job seekers will have a better understanding of jobs, as they will be described more precisely and in detail.
Employers will better process the job offer and better recognize the skills of candidates.
ESCO will facilitate the preparation of EUROPASS documents by offering standardized terminology, multilingual functionality and interface with national occupational standards.
Connecting labor markets and promoting occupational mobility between EU countries:
Through ESCO, EURES services will respond more effectively to the demands of labor markets
Linking education/training to employment:
ESCO will facilitate education/training providers to understand the skills needed by the labor market
Analysis of labor market data
ESCO will facilitate research and analysis of labor market trends and needs (in terms of occupations and skills) and, consequently, the development of more effective employment measures.
Continuous upgrade of ESCO
As a dynamic tool, ESCO is updated and renewed at Ordinary intervals.
For the adoption and implementation of the ESCO classification system, the Manpower Employment Organisation implemented the "MATCHING" project (Mapping Arrangements and Transcoding Change IN Greece), which is funded by the European Commission and in particular the European Program for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).
The "MATCHING" project aims to identify, plan and implement all the necessary steps, in order to successfully adopt the ESCO tool by the Manpower Employment Organisation and to make its usefulness clear for all Greek agencies related to the classification of occupations, skills/ skills and qualifications.
The project included: (a) the training of EURES consultants, employment consultants and the wider staff of the Manpower Employment Organisation in the use and operation of ESCO, (b) networking with the national and European bodies related to the specific field, (c) the implementation of information and awareness actions through seminars, workshops and digital material.
- The ESCO at the DYPA
ESCO will strengthen the services of the Manpower Employment Organisation:
contributing to the valid professional information
the appropriate choice of professions/positions
the strengthening of the transparency of professions, qualifications, skills/abilities
the provision of improved consulting services
the upgrade of the services of matching job seekers with jobs.
- User groups
ESCO will be available for use by:
Employees of the Manpower Employment Organisation through the Organization's Integrated Information System (ISIS), in order to investigate the profile of unemployed and vacant jobs.
Transactions made with the Manpower Employment Organisation, through the Organisation's online services (e-Services) include
a) Job seekers, to enrich their CV with skills/abilities, qualifications and knowledge
b) Employers, for the accurate and detailed description of the jobs offered.
Day Seminar "ESCO, Skills and Employment"
The Manpower Employment Organisation is organizing an Online Conference entitled "ESCO, Skills and Employment" on Thursday, December 16, 2021 (11:00 am – 2:30 pm) on the occasion of the adoption of the European Skills Classification System/ ESCO Skills, Qualifications and Professions ESCO through the «MATCHING», project, which is co-financed by the European Commission, and in particular by the European Program for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).
The Day Seminar aims at highlighting the importance of adopting ESCO at a national level, both in terms of the process of matching job seekers with jobs, and in terms of the wider subsidies for all agencies associated with the classification of skills/abilities, qualifications and occupations.
In the 1st Part of the Conference, we will present the path of adoption of ESCO by the Manpower Employment Organisation through the "MATCHING" project, as well as the influence of this new classification system on the process of matching labor supply and demand. Presentations will follow on the integration of ESCO by the European Public Employment Services (PES), as well as on the contribution of ESCO in determining the dynamism of skills in the Greek labor market, at the national, regional and local level.
In the 2nd Part of the Conference, the importance of ESCO for the labor market will be analyzed from the perspective of academic and research institutions, social partners, but also the business world. Particular emphasis will be given on ESCO's contribution in areas such as skills development, skills needs diagnosis, matching labor supply and demand according to business needs.
In Part 3, building on the previous presentations and analyses, key contemporary issues will be discussed such as the strategy for lifelong learning, improving skills as part of the transition from education to employment, matching skills with the needs of the labor market.
See here the Program of the Conference
Watch an extended excerpt from the Conference:
The Manpower Employment Organisation provides jobseekers and businesses with a modern and dynamic tool, the ESCO European System of Classification of Skills/Abilities, Qualifications and Occupations. ESCO currently includes 2,942 occupations and 13.485 skills/competences, and is also updated and renewed at Ordinary intervals, incorporating the needs of the labor market. The ESCO will significantly facilitate the matching of jobseekers with suitable jobs.
The use of the innovative ESCO tool will better support jobseekers in their quest to find work, as their CV will be enriched with professional and horizontal skills (soft skills), qualifications and knowledge (even with those resulting from informal or non-formal learning), better reflecting their professional profile At the same time, the use of ESCO for the detailed description of the jobs offered will better serve the needs of businesses in searching for and finding suitable personnel.
Some indicative examples:
In the "Green" Economy sector, ESCO covers professional specialties such as: environmentalists, waste management and recycling center managers and technicians, sorting workers, etc. 
In the Digital Technology sector, ESCO covers professional specialties such as: software analysts, information systems designers, network designers, etc.
In the Supply Chain industry, ESCO covers professional specialties such as: warehouse managers, supply chain employees, loaders, etc.
In the Health sector, ESCO covers professional specialties such as: doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, paramedical professions, etc.
In the Preschool Education sector, ESCO covers professional specialties such as preschool teachers, babysitters, kindergarten teachers, etc.
In the Sales Clerk sector, ESCO covers occupational specialties such as: store supervisors/managers, store salespersons, skilled salespersons, etc.
