Vocational Schools (EPA.S.), established according to L. 3475/2006 (Government Gazette 146A/13.7.2006), fit in post lower secondary education. Vocational Schools enable learners to follow specialties not requiring a strong theoretical background; instead they mainly focus on practical training, in order to help students immediately join the labour market. Attendance is of 2-year duration and includes grades Α and Β.
According to the provisions of Law 4186/2013 (Government Gazette A 193/17.9.2013) “Restructuring of Secondary Education and other provisions”, Vocational Schools (Epaggelmatikes Scholes – EPA.S.) attended by students who had completed first grade of Upper Secondary School (Epaggelmatika Lykeia or Lykeia ), cease to exist; the ones belonging to the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs will be abolished by September 15th 2014; the ones falling under OAED (Manpower Employment Organization) will be abolished by September 15th, 2015. Subsequently, grade Α of Vocational Schools belonging to the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs discontinued its operation in school year 2012-2013, while grade Β shall cease to operate at the end of school year 2013-2014.