Greece - Improving the Design and Delivery of ALMPS : Output A.3 : Functional and Technical Specifications for an MIS of Training Programs (English)

Greece's active labor market policy is undergoing reform to improve the effectiveness of active labor market programs (ALMPs) by strengthening their design, targeting and implementation. This first phase of ALMP reforms has been initiated with a pilot program in three municipalities (Elefsina, Asporpyrgos, and Mandra) covered by the local office of the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) in Elefsina and targeting those aged 45 and over registered unemployed for at least 6 months. The World Bank has been providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Social Solidarity (MoLSSSS) and OAED to define the key design and operational parameters for implementing the pilot program and to support the gradual roll-out of three reformed programs, including a demand-responsive training program (DRTP). The DRTP is a voucher program, which, after profiling of eligible unemployed people, counseling including referrals, and assessment of prior learning, will include on and off the job training, certification of skills gained, and potentially, bonus payments to training providers based on job outcomes for trainees. OAED will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the program.The purpose of this document is to provide functional and technical specifications for a management information system (MIS) to underpin the DRTP during the pilot phase (DRTP MIS). The MIS that is put in place for the pilot should be capable of supporting training programs beyond the pilot that are consistent with an open framework approach where jobseekers are offered personalized services through OAED, including referrals to a training program (or other ALMPs) and training programs are available on a continuous basis. The World Bank team supports this decision based on a review of existing and potential infrastructure and information systems, as the voucher platform already provides a large part of the functionality needed for the DRTP MIS and has the potential to become a strong basis for the development of a more sophisticated MIS for the management, monitoring and evaluation of DRTPs in the future, through the realization of gradual improvements, such as for example provision of advanced communication mechanisms between beneficiaries, training providers and firms; integration with the counseling IT infrastructure of OAED; open application submission for training providers; advanced monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for both beneficiaries and training programs, etc.