Loukas Zahilas

Experience

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  UPJOHN SA

  Jun 1984 - Dec 1984

  Analyst

  Quality control, chemical analysis of fuel, lubricants, colours and textiles.

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  VIANEX SA

  Jan 1985 - Aug 1990

  Analyst

  Quality control, chemical analysis of fuel, lubricants, colours and textiles.

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  Greek Ministry of Education

  Sept 1990 - Aug 1993

  Secondary school teacher

  Teaching of Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Biology

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  University of Athens

  Sept 1993 - Aug 1994

  Researcher

  ICT applications in pharmaceutical analysis and teaching methodologies

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  OEEK

  Sept 1994 - Aug 2006

  Director

  Monitoring, recording and preparation of political decisions on Greek VET. National representative in various European bodies and groups (DG EAC, Technical Working Group-Credit Transfer, Technical Working Group-EQF, Cedefop-Study Visits National Liaison Officer, ETF Governing Board, Advisory Committee for Vocational Training, Leonardo da Vinvi Committee, etc);Senior management on Europass training and Europass (National coordinator), National Reference Point coordinator, Leonardo da Vinci mobility and pilot programmes, Label initiative coordinator, national and European coordination of Sustainable Professionalisation, coordination of EQUAL projects. Participation in high level National Committees on the National System for Linking VET with the Labour Market (ESSEKA), National Thematic Network on the validation of non formal and informal learning, EQF consultation phase coordinator; Key expert in policy development, curriculum development, social partnership, VET governance and decentralisation in VET reform in EU CARDS project in Serbia;Team leader in project consortium of Study EAC 63 on the implementation and development of an ECVET system for apprenticeship (2006). National expert in project consortium of Study EAC 64 on the feasibility of an ECVET system for apprentices (2006). Expert on the Pro-Vet study on “Making best use of resources” (2006);Member of the working group for the linking of Initial and Continuing training in Greece within a LLL framework – Ministries of Education and Employment (2004 – 2006) Show less

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  Cedefop

  Sept 2006 - now

  The department for VET and Qualifications (DVQ) is fostering the overall transparency, relevance, quality and inclusiveness of VET by facilitating close interaction between IVET, CVET and general and higher education to serve the skills needs of all age groups at all levels; promoting structured lifelong and life-wide learning by strengthening institutional structures, ensuring content is continuously updated and reflected in qualifications and by inclusive governance. Work in the department is based on research and analyses and provides evidence on policy developments and implementation as well as advice and support at European level. 1) monitoring and analysing VET policy developments and their impact in the renewal and modernisation of the systems and institutions delivering initial as well as continuing VET within a lifelong learning perspective. It addresses the conditions for more attractive, accessible and relevant VET provisions, building on the systematic analysis of experiences throughout Europe;2) systematic support to European cooperation in VET and to the further development and implementation of European tools and principles for transparency and recognition of qualifications. This work, seeks to reduce institutional and systemic barriers to progress and strengthen the visibility of outcomes – notably qualifications, skills and competences;3) deepen research-based reflections on the future of VET in Europe by analysing systematically the influence of internal and external factors on the delivery and take up of initial and continuing VET. Particular attention is paid to the changing content of VET, notably by seeking to understand how job-specific skills are balanced with research-based knowledge and transversal competences. Show less The Department for ‘VET Systems and Institutions” (DSI) deals with systems and institutions delivering VET and how these can be modernised in response to political objectives and societal needs. The Department provides policy monitoring, advice and support at European level, with policy implementation and research also playing an important role. Work in this Department contributes to the goals of the European Agenda, currently the Lisbon (and EU 2020) strategy, the strategic framework for EU cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) and the European cooperation on VET (Copenhagen/Bruges/Riga). The Department’s work supports the Commission, Member States and social partners in fostering policy development and accelerating the pace of VET reforms focusing on the following main fields:1) Renewal and modernisation of the systems and institutions delivering initial as well as continuing vocational education and training within a LLL perspective. The Department addresses the conditions for more attractive, accessible and relevant VET provisions, building on the systematic analysis of experiences throughout Europe;2) Systematic support to European cooperation in VET as well as the further development of European tools and instruments. This work seeks to reduce institutional and systemic barriers to progress and strengthen the visibility of outcomes – notably qualifications, skills and competences.Work includes management of the following human and financial resources allocated yearly to the Department Budget 2017: 2 170 000 EuroStaff 2016: 16 Experts (AD) and 10 assistants (AST). Show less Contribution to Cedefop’s overall development, priorities, planning and visibility. Preparation of Cedefop’s strategy, medium-term priorities, work programme and to related reporting and evaluation.Management and planning of the Area ECVL (Enhanced Cooperation in VET and LLL). Define the Area’s specific objectives in cooperation with the Directorate and the middle management and design and plan its annual work programme, management plan, as well as their regular implementation and adaptation. Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources allocated to the Area, in compliance with existing rules and procedures. Monitor and evaluate fulfilment of objectives using relevant indicators and report to the Directorate on results achieved. Budget planning and monitoring. Ensure efficient budget implementation and supervise and control financial transactions relating to the work programme of the Area. Verify and validate in his capacity of delegated authorising officer (AOD) the financial and budgetary aspects of projects carried out under his responsibility. Management of staff in the Area. Ensure effective and efficient use of human resources in the Area, in accordance with Cedefop’s policy and with the support of Cedefop’s Human Resources service. Set objectives for the Area staff in coordination with the general objectives and policy of the Centre. Report on staff in the Area and process and/or authorise requests related to missions, leave, training, external activities, etc. Maintain interactive communication with the Area. Ensure team work and team building with other Areas. Represent Cedefop vis-à-vis representatives of the European Commission, Member States and other countries, the social partners, international organisations, on issues of relevance to the work of the Cedefop, especially in meetings, working groups, networks and conferences. Show less High level support to policy development within the strategic framework for European cooperation 2020, including cooperation in VET with a particular emphasis to the implementation of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) at Member States and sectoral level, support of ESCO developments with a focus on international qualifications and the implementation of the European credit system for VET (ECVET);Development of cooperation and systematic peer learning between Member States and social partners in the field of qualifications and learning outcomes. Scientific advice and close cooperation with the Commission (especially in the framework of EQF, ECVET and ESCO), clusters, networks and Member States on qualifications, quality assurance, credit arrangements, permeability between VET and HE, curricula and validation;Represent Cedefop and promote its work vis-à-vis representatives of the European Commission, Member States and other countries, the social partners, international organisations, on EQF/ NQFs, learning outcomes and qualifications related issues; Cooperation with the Greek authorities to foster cooperation on lifelong learning issues, especially by participating to the Greek NQF High level implementation group and the Municipality of Thessaloniki LLL Committee, meetings, conferences and other events. Coordination of the cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF) to foster complementarity between the two Agencies. Show less

  • Head of Department for VET and Qualifications

    Nov 2021 - now

  • Head of Department for VET Systems and Institutions (DSI)

    Mar 2015 - Oct 2021

  • Acting Head of Area ECVL

    Sept 2014 - Mar 2015

  • Senior expert, qualifications and learning outcomes

    Sept 2006 - Aug 2014