Thessaloniki Chamber proposes technical school campus in Sindos

Marios Papadopoulos, President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts and Trades (VETh), has proposed the creation of a model technical school campus in Sindos to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The project, which would utilize 18 acres of VETh-owned land and receive state funding, aims to provide students with modern infrastructure and high-specification equipment to upgrade the role of technical professions in Greece.

The proposal comes in response to a critical shortage of specialized personnel. According to recent VETh research, eight out of ten craftsmen have vacancies, and five out of ten are unable to meet their technical staffing needs. To address this, VETh suggests a new model based on three pillars: effective technical education, simplified licensing, and institutional certification of technicians.

Additionally, the Chamber recommended the operation of agricultural departments within craft chambers to link primary agricultural production with manufacturing and crafts. VETh also called for an end to the fragmentation of ministries overseeing technical training, suggesting the Ministry of Education should serve as the sole supervising body. Other proposals included the creation of a ship repair zone in the Port of Thessaloniki.