Adult tutors' views on their educational needs: the case of a Public Institute of Vocational Training in Greece

Abstract

Public Institutes of Vocational Training (DIEK) are units of post-secondary non-formal education. High school teachers and tutors paid by hour constitute the educational stuff of DIEK. This is a case-study about the educational needs of a DIEK tutors from the adult education point of view. The innovation here lies in the involvement of the EOPPEP certification of educational proficiency. The method followed is qualitative. Information collection was conducted through semi-constructed interviews with the teaching and administrative personnel of a DIEK in Greece. The results show a need for further training on adult education. Participants require specialisation, update on the latest knowledge so that they can fulfil their roles better. Important conclusions are also drawn concerning the EOPPEP certification, on which interesting criticism is exercised. This data can be exploited so that EOPPEP improves services provided, which will reflect positively on DIEKs themselves in the long run, through increasingly competent instructors.