111 Young People Benefited from “Skill Up”: Empowering Unemployed Youth for the Labor Market | 26% Secured Employment
From June to December 2025, “Skill Up” was implemented by the Employment Service of the Solidarity Center of SolidarityNow in Thessaloniki, aiming to strengthen skills and provide career guidance to young people aged 17–29 who are experiencing social exclusion.
What did participants say about the program?
- 93% felt respected and accepted within the program
- 89% felt encouraged and supported
- 86% gained confidence in their ability to find employment
Discover more in the Infographic.
“Skill Up” was completed in December 2025, leaving behind not only numbers and percentages, but also personal journeys marked by effort, persistence, and tangible steps forward. Behind every participation lies a unique story of seeking opportunities, learning and entering the world of work.
Below are two stories of young people who, through “Skill Up,” are striving for a new beginning in their personal and professional lives.
S.’s Story
S. approached the Service after the end of the tourist season, having experienced negative working conditions and mistreatment on a major tourist island. This experience deeply affected her sense of safety and trust in the labor market. Upon returning to Thessaloniki, she set a clear goal: to find a new job as soon as possible. From the very beginning, she was consistent and actively engaged in counselling sessions and preparation meetings with the employment advisors. Despite initial rejections, she remained committed to her goal.
Following targeted mediation by the Service, she was hired by a food service business, offering a more stable working environment compared to her previous employment experience. Her journey highlights the importance of active support and mediation in achieving more sustainable labor market integration.
A.’s Story
A., a 17-year-old member of the LGBTQI+ community, approached the Employment Service of the Solidarity Center in Thessaloniki seeking work as a minor. He lives under highly precarious conditions and, during his first meeting with the Service’s professionals, he was in a vulnerable psychological state. He lacked knowledge about job-search procedures, the legal restrictions regarding minor employment, and the requirement for parental consent in hiring processes.
He did not attend his next scheduled appointment, and communication was interrupted, a common pattern among minors living in conditions of intense instability. Five months later, he returned, having issued the first necessary documents. Although additional administrative procedures are still pending and finding an employer willing to hire a minor remains challenging, A. now feels more prepared and empowered. He continues his active job search with ongoing support from the Service.
*Skill Up” was implemented in Thessaloniki with the support of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation.