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🇬🇷 Greece /Economy & Trade

Skilled Trades Future Bright, But Young Greeks Look Elsewhere

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Greece faces a shortage of skilled tradespeople, with 74% of businesses reporting difficulty finding qualified staff.
  • Many young Greeks are turning away from technical professions, seeking easier or more lucrative career paths.
  • Industry insiders and young tradespeople highlight the need to re-evaluate the perception of manual labor and its economic potential.

Greece's job market is signaling a strong demand for skilled trades, yet young Greeks are increasingly overlooking these professions. A survey by the Athens Chamber of Crafts (BEA) in July 2026 revealed that 74% of businesses struggle to find qualified personnel. Furthermore, 79% have had to curtail operations due to this staffing shortage.

I worked for a year without studying and then went to a private school. I didn't get into anywhere in the Panhellenic exams and started working with my uncle. I realized I liked the profession and decided to pursue it.

— Konstantinos KyritsisA 22-year-old electrical installer explains his path into a technical trade.

The research also highlighted that 51% of businesses cite a general lack of available staff, while 30% point to a deficit in specialized skills. This disconnect between market needs and youth aspirations is prompting a closer look at why technical careers are being shunned.

Young tradespeople offer a glimpse into this trend. Konstantinos Kyritsis, 22, became an electrical installer after failing to gain admission to university. "I worked for a year without studying and then went to a private school," he explained. "I didn't get into anywhere in the Panhellenic exams and started working with my uncle. I realized I liked the profession and decided to pursue it."

At first, I did technical work with my father, who is a formwork carpenter. At 18, I started studying and also worked in cafes. There, I realized that the hospitality industry was unbearable, but the issue of financial recovery held me back.

— Christos TakaA 25-year-old assistant carpenter describes his early experiences and career considerations.

Christos Taka, 25, an assistant carpenter, began his journey in technical fields by helping his father. "At first, I did technical work with my father, who is a formwork carpenter. At 18, I started studying and also worked in cafes. There, I realized that the hospitality industry was unbearable, but the issue of financial recovery held me back."

Young people don't underestimate technical professions, but they ignore them because there are others that can make more money without so much difficulty.

— Konstantinos KyritsisA young tradesman offers his perspective on why peers avoid technical jobs.

While some believe young people simply opt for easier career paths, others see a clear devaluation of manual labor. "Young people don't underestimate technical professions, but they ignore them because there are others that can make more money without so much difficulty," says Kyritsis. Taka, however, believes there is a distinct disdain for technical jobs. "Young people underestimate technical professions. The fact that people are concentrating in urban centers, moving away from manual labor and..."

Young people underestimate technical professions. The fact that people are concentrating in urban centers, moving away from manual labor and...

— Christos TakaAnother young tradesman expresses his view on the societal perception of technical work.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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