Bespoke career up-skilling: the case of Mellon Skills Accelerator

• Main Author: Konstantin Tsimas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2020-02-01
• Series: Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Subjects: Greek crisis; women’s unemployment; Up-skilling; Counseling; Training; Re-employment
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-020-0113-z

Abstract In the absence of a sufficient number of state-run institutional interventions, any action stemming from autonomous, voluntary private sector initiatives providing counseling and up-skilling to unemployed women is de facto important, especially when referring to confirmed successful and recurring efforts. This contribution provides a detailed discussion and analysis of the methodological approach and extraordinary results of the “Mellon Skills Accelerator” initiative, designed and delivered by knowl Social Enterprise to increase employability. It provides a preliminary evaluation of the initiative’s impact and suitability to be adopted as a standard course of action, across the Greek nation and possibly across Europe and beyond. The author has had first-hand experience of Mellon Skills Accelerator working as a volunteer counsel and coach with the organization.