Lifelong learning contributes to computer Lifelong learning contributes to computer literacy and professional advancement. literacy and professional advancement.

The case of the Graduates of the The case of the Graduates of the Department of Administrative Information Department of Administrative Information

Technology of the West Macedonia TEI Technology of the West Macedonia TEI GreeceGreece

Athanasios Papavasileiou, Lazaros Tsikritzis, Nikolaos MatanasAthanasios Papavasileiou, Lazaros Tsikritzis, Nikolaos Matanas Technological Educational Institution of West Macedonia, Kozani, Technological Educational Institution of West Macedonia, Kozani,

GreeceGreece

andand Paraskevi BoubourekaParaskevi BoubourekaHellenic Open UniversityHellenic Open University,, Patra, Greece Patra, Greece

What is LLL?What is LLL?

The UNESCO definition: The UNESCO definition: Life Long Learning (LLL) describes Life Long Learning (LLL) describes

Education without age limits. Education without age limits. Education and learning should Education and learning should expand to contain the expand to contain the wholewhole life of a life of a person, person, allall skills and skills and allall knowledge knowledge areas, to use areas, to use allall possible mediums to possible mediums to give give allall people the opportunity to people the opportunity to develop their personalities.develop their personalities.

LLL in Greece and in EuropeLLL in Greece and in Europe

In GreeceIn Greece: : Only 1.2%Only 1.2% of the adult of the adult population (from 25-65 years old) population (from 25-65 years old) attend LLL programs, attend LLL programs,

In Europe In Europe the percentage isthe percentage is– 8.5% in the 15 older EC state-members8.5% in the 15 older EC state-members– 5% in the 10 new EC state members 5% in the 10 new EC state members

The target percentage that Europe has The target percentage that Europe has set is 12.5% by 2010. set is 12.5% by 2010.

Characteristics of LLL students Characteristics of LLL students

mostly adultsmostly adults have already started a careerhave already started a career variety of experiences and valuesvariety of experiences and values approach education with specific approach education with specific

intentionsintentions have specific expectations have specific expectations

concerning the learning processconcerning the learning process

What is a OPS? What is a OPS?

The Optional Program of Studies The Optional Program of Studies ((OPSOPS) :) :

are Institutes equivalent to Universities are Institutes equivalent to Universities and Technological Institutions and Technological Institutions

were set up in 1998 (A joint project of the were set up in 1998 (A joint project of the Greek Ministry of Education and a number Greek Ministry of Education and a number of Higher Education Institutes) of Higher Education Institutes)

are intended for adults and those who are intended for adults and those who haven’t had the chance to enter Higher haven’t had the chance to enter Higher Education.Education.

Aim of the paperAim of the paper This paper aims to evaluate the professional This paper aims to evaluate the professional

prospects of the Graduates of the OPS prospects of the Graduates of the OPS “Administrative Information Technology” (AIT) of “Administrative Information Technology” (AIT) of West Macedonia TEIWest Macedonia TEI

This survey on OPS graduates is the second to be This survey on OPS graduates is the second to be held in Greece. held in Greece.

MethodologyMethodology Data collected during the year 2005 Data collected during the year 2005 A structured questionnaire was used A structured questionnaire was used Sample population: 76 graduates out of 210, that Sample population: 76 graduates out of 210, that

is 35% of the total. (very satisfactory)is 35% of the total. (very satisfactory)

Thematic units of the questionnaire: Thematic units of the questionnaire:

Personal data Personal data Data concerning their studies Data concerning their studies Employment dataEmployment data Evaluation of the OPSEvaluation of the OPS The type of contact with their Institute The type of contact with their Institute Proposals/Opinions Proposals/Opinions

StatisticsStatistics

Data coding and statistical analysis Data coding and statistical analysis were carried out with the use of SPSS were carried out with the use of SPSS

The main diagrams and conclusions The main diagrams and conclusions for each thematic unit are presented for each thematic unit are presented with the resultswith the results

Results and ConclusionsResults and Conclusions

General ElementsGeneral Elements 75% of the graduates are women75% of the graduates are women, which is , which is

considerably higher than the average tendency in considerably higher than the average tendency in Greece. Greece. Explanation: Generally speaking women are not keen on Explanation: Generally speaking women are not keen on

pursuing technical professions or studiespursuing technical professions or studies

Family background:Family background: Half of the graduates’ Half of the graduates’ parents have a low education profile. parents have a low education profile. Nevertheless 76% of the graduates were encouraged by Nevertheless 76% of the graduates were encouraged by

their families to study their families to study That means: Tertiary education is a matter of social status That means: Tertiary education is a matter of social status

PARENTS EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

0,0%

52,6%

21,1%18,4%

7,9%

0,0% 1,3%

55,3%

28,9%

13,2%

1,3% 0,0%0,0%

10,0%

20,0%

30,0%

40,0%

50,0%

60,0%

ILL

ITE

RA

TE

EL

EM

EN

TA

RY

HIG

H S

CH

OO

L

MID

DL

E S

CH

OO

L

UN

IVE

RS

ITY

PO

ST

GR

AD

UA

TE

ILL

ITE

RA

TE

EL

EM

EN

TA

RY

HIG

H S

CH

OO

L

MID

DL

E S

CH

OO

L

UN

IVE

RS

ITY

PO

ST

GR

AD

UA

TE

FATHER MOTHER

FAMILY ENCOURAGEMENT

76%

24%

YES

NO

Data concerning studiesData concerning studies Computer and English learningComputer and English learning are basic skills, are basic skills,

highly valued by the labour market in Greece.highly valued by the labour market in Greece.As a result 47% of the graduates speak English and 58% As a result 47% of the graduates speak English and 58%

have got basic computer skillshave got basic computer skills

Comparison with a previous studyComparison with a previous study (concerning a technical OPS) : (concerning a technical OPS) :The numbers are 86.5 % and 79 % respectivelyThe numbers are 86.5 % and 79 % respectively

Post-graduate studiesPost-graduate studies: only 2% of graduates : only 2% of graduates continue. continue. This is probably due to the fact that although these This is probably due to the fact that although these

degrees are officially recognized in Greece in fact they degrees are officially recognized in Greece in fact they have not yet acquired essential recognition by the have not yet acquired essential recognition by the organizations offering post graduate studies (i.e. organizations offering post graduate studies (i.e. University post graduate departments) or the labour University post graduate departments) or the labour market and society at large.market and society at large.

PARALLEL LEARNING47%

58%

20%

13%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

FO

RE

IGN

LA

NG

UA

GE

US

E O

F

CO

MP

UT

ER

AT

HL

ET

IC

SK

ILL

AR

TIS

TIC

SK

ILL

The opinion of the graduates The opinion of the graduates for the OPS for the OPS

Too good to be.. true,Too good to be.. true, questionable objectivity of the recruitment methods (phone questionable objectivity of the recruitment methods (phone

interviews)interviews)lack of models for comparison and evaluationlack of models for comparison and evaluation

  

EXCELLENTEXCELLENT

%%

VERY VERY GOODGOOD

%%GOODGOOD

%%

ALMOSTALMOST GOODGOOD

%%POORPOOR

%%

VERYVERYPOORPOOR

%%

NO NO OPINIONOPINION

%%

ADEQUACY OF LABORATORY ADEQUACY OF LABORATORY INFRASTRUCTURESINFRASTRUCTURES 28,928,9 32,932,9 23,723,7 5,35,3 3,93,9 0,00,0 1,31,3

SATISFACTION OF BRIEFING SATISFACTION OF BRIEFING RESOURCESRESOURCES 23,723,7 31,631,6 31,631,6 3,93,9 3,93,9 1,31,3 0,00,0

USEFULNESS OF ATTENDED USEFULNESS OF ATTENDED LESSONSLESSONS 42,142,1 31,631,6 11,811,8 1,31,3 2,32,3 1,31,3 6,66,6

PROFICIENCY OF PROFICIENCY OF PROFESSORSPROFESSORS 52,652,6 26,326,3 11,811,8 5,35,3 0,00,0 0,00,0 0,00,0

COMMUNICABILITY COMMUNICABILITY OF OF PROFESSORSPROFESSORS 34,234,2 23,723,7 30,330,3 7,97,9 0,00,0 0,00,0 0,00,0

GUIDANCE OF GUIDANCE OF PROFESSORSPROFESSORS 22,422,4 26,326,3 26,326,3 6,66,6 1,31,3 6,66,6 6,66,6

GENERAL LEVEL OF THEORETICAL GENERAL LEVEL OF THEORETICAL LESSONSLESSONS 13,213,2 40,840,8 35,535,5 6,66,6 0,00,0 0,00,0 1,31,3

GENERAL LEVEL OF LABORATORY GENERAL LEVEL OF LABORATORY PRACTICEPRACTICE 23,723,7 23,723,7 30,330,3 14,514,5 3,93,9 0,00,0 0,00,0

Professional Status and Professional Status and AdvancementAdvancement

1. 1. Employment Employment Only 11% of the graduates were unemployed one year after Only 11% of the graduates were unemployed one year after having got their degree (the percentage of new graduates having got their degree (the percentage of new graduates for the whole country is about 30% ) for the whole country is about 30% )

ExplanationExplanation59 % of the graduates were already employed when they 59 % of the graduates were already employed when they started studyingstarted studying

2. 2. Job Satisfaction LevelJob Satisfaction Level 50% of the working graduates were not satisfied with their 50% of the working graduates were not satisfied with their

jobs and managed to change themjobs and managed to change them by using the OPS degreeby using the OPS degree The main reason (23,7 %) given for low job satisfaction was The main reason (23,7 %) given for low job satisfaction was

low salarylow salary

Employment after their degree

88%

11%

1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

WORKING UNEMPLOYED OUT OFWORK

Reasons for changing their job

17,1% 22,4% 23,7%

6,6%

42,1%

0,0%10,0%20,0%30,0%40,0%50,0%

IRR

ELE

VA

NT

PR

OF

ES

SIO

N

NO

TS

AT

ISF

YIN

G

AM

BIT

ION

S

NO

TE

NO

UG

HS

ALA

RY

OT

HE

RR

EA

SO

NS

NO

CH

AN

GE

Relationship between job and studies:Relationship between job and studies: – Quite closely connected Quite closely connected – 52,7% of those having a job think their job is relevant to 52,7% of those having a job think their job is relevant to

their studies their studies

. RELATION BETWEEN JOB AND STUDIES

10,5%3,9%

13,2%

30,3%22,4%

0,0%10,0%20,0%30,0%40,0%

VERYLITTLE

LITTLE MEDIUM BIG VERY BIG

Points made by GraduatesPoints made by GraduatesFirst of allFirst of allPost graduate studiesPost graduate studies in Business Administration, Marketing, Information in Business Administration, Marketing, Information

Technology, etcTechnology, etc

Most important problemsMost important problems – state policy state policy – low status and subsequent recognition of their low status and subsequent recognition of their

degree, degree, – Incomplete infrastructureIncomplete infrastructure– lack of educational seminarslack of educational seminars– financial issuesfinancial issues

Concluding remarkConcluding remark The AIT Department of OPS in W. Macedonia TEI proved The AIT Department of OPS in W. Macedonia TEI proved

more effective in helping working graduates to get more effective in helping working graduates to get promotion and less in helping the unemployed find a new promotion and less in helping the unemployed find a new job.job.

Computer and language courses are becoming increasingly Computer and language courses are becoming increasingly popular almost indispensable. popular almost indispensable.

The number of unemployed young people is increasing in The number of unemployed young people is increasing in Greece. They have to acquire more qualifications, which Greece. They have to acquire more qualifications, which can be achieved through LLL. Unfortunately LLL course can be achieved through LLL. Unfortunately LLL course attendance is rather low.attendance is rather low.

So we are obliged to re-design the OPS, So we are obliged to re-design the OPS, upgrading studies upgrading studies

and introducing new specialties and introducing new specialties which are more in demand by the labor marketwhich are more in demand by the labor market