At SolidarityNow’s Employment Service, we have recently observed a steady increase in requests from people with a refugee background who wish to enroll in Evening High Schools. This is not simply an interest in education for its own sake, but a highly practical decision. Through their own experience, they have come to understand that learning Greek and obtaining a Greek secondary education certificate are essential steps towards moving beyond low-skilled employment and accessing better job opportunities, higher wages and improved working conditions.

The information gap

Most of the people who seek support from our Employment Service are unaware that they have both the legal right and the practical opportunity to attend an evening school while working. Many assume that the need to earn a living immediately automatically rules out any possibility of continuing their education.

The Practical Role of the Employment Counsellor

Supporting people living in vulnerable circumstances goes far beyond job-search counselling. Employment counsellors also provide practical guidance that helps individuals combine education and employment. This includes:

1. Assessing needs and skills: Evaluating each person’s educational background from their country of origin, as well as their level of Greek language proficiency.
2. Presenting available pathways: Providing detailed information about the structure, timetable, and admission requirements of Evening High Schools.
3. Turning information into an achievable goal: Once individuals realize that this educational pathway is both realistic and attainable, we work together to redesign their employment plan, focusing on jobs with morning or fixed working hours that allow them to attend school in the evening.

Why Does This Matter to Employers?

Employees who successfully combine full-time work with evening education bring valuable qualities to the workplace. Balancing an eight-hour workday with four hours of classes every evening requires exceptional time management, discipline, commitment and determination.

For employers, these individuals often prove to be reliable and dedicated employees whose consistency and strong work ethic have already been demonstrated in practice.

At SolidarityNow, we remain committed to supporting this double effort by providing personalized guidance and connecting individuals with employers who recognize the value of lifelong learning and are willing to accommodate their educational commitments.

The Employment Service at SolidarityNow’s Solidarity Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki is supported by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme (Embassy of Switzerland in Greece), which aims to reduce economic and social disparities within the EU and by the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.