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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
Developments and current policy priorities

Cyprus

8.Adult education and training

8.2Developments and current policy priorities

Last update: 12 June 2022
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Launch of two HRDA Plans at the Hermes digital portal

The Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA) has introduced the following two two Plans at the digital portal of Hermes on January 1, 2022:

  • Business Staffing Plan with Graduates of Higher Education
  • Long-Term Unemployed Training Plan in Businesses / Organizations

Applications from employers for approval of training programs under these Plans are now only submitted electronically, via the Hermes digital portal.

All procedures for these training programs are done exclusively electronically through the digital portal of Hermes and the HRDA does not accept applications, requests, clarifications and documents in any other way.

The HRDA announces that revised Policy and Procedure Guides for the two Plans will enter into force, can be found on the HRDA website.

 

Employment Needs Forecasts in Occupations

The Human Resource Development Authority (ANAD) has prepared a study on the employment needs in 309 occupations for the period 2017-2027. The data presented for each profession are the following:

  • Description of Profession
  • Indicative Areas of Employment
  • Employment Forecasts
  • Employment Development Needs Forecasts
  • Employment Needs Forecasts due to Departures
  • Provisions for Total Employment Needs

The Occupation Needs Forecasts are the following (By ISCO-08 Category):  1. Directors  2. Graduates  3. Technical assistants  4. Office secretaries  5. Service employees and salesmen  6. Farmers, livestockers and fishers  7. Artists  8. Machinery operators and assemblers  9. Untrained workers

Special plan for the training of the unemployed

A.    In public and broader public organizations and other organizations and institutios The purpose of the Plan is to provide vocational training and work experience to the unemployed while providing opportunities to Services / Organizations of the Public and wider Public sector, Local Authorities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Institutions to utilize adequate human resources. In particular, the Plan aims at: (a) Promoting employment and reducing unemployment by improving the employability of the unemployed. (b) Providing opportunities for the unemployed to join / re-join employment by upgrading existing or acquiring new knowledge and skills. (c) Encouraging organizations / services to offer appropriate training programs to the unemployed. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the training programs started on February 1, 2021, while the process of evaluation and approval of the unemployed and organizations / services continues, and new placements will be made.

B.    In certain economic sectors which were affected by the pandemic Covid-19 The Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Insurance through the Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA), in the framework of the Government's policy to reduce unemployment and promote employment, has launched the "Special Training Plan for employees in certain economic sectors affected by the Pandemic” The Plan aims at: ⦁    creating new and sustainable jobs and training of the unemployed. ⦁    facilitating young people's access to employment ⦁    providing new knowledge and skills to the unemployed in the following thematic areas: (a) Crisis management and development and business continuity development. (b) Digital knowledge and skills. (c) Occupational safety and health, risk assessment in the workplace and defining an action plan to address them. (d) Basic principles of food hygiene and personal hygiene. (e) Environmental issues. Those interested for participation in the Plan will be eligible to apply electronically through the HRDA website from November 2 to November 16, 2020.  

Vocational Education and Training for the Future of Work Cedefop Refernet Thematic Perspectives

Cyprus Policy strategies and initiatives have been decided to prepare vocational education and training (VET) systems for digitalisation and the future of work technologies.

According to the digital economy and society index (DESI) 2019,  Cyprus’s performance in the human capital dimension, which measures the skills needed to take advantage of the possibilities offered by digital developments, is below the EU average, although progress is being made.  In 2018, 84% of the Cypriot population used the internet regularly (versus 79% in 2017), but only 50% of individuals between 16 and 74 possessed at least basic digital skills.

Exploring employment and training needs in 2020

The Human Resources Development Authority has prepared in December 2019 a study called "Investigating Employment and Training Needs in 2020" which is done on an annual basis and is particularly important as it strengthens and complements the periodic forecasting of employment needs in the Cypriot economy for ten years. The annual survey identifies the skills that are needed in the Cypriot economy in order to plan and implement the relevant activities of the HRDA in order to meet the needs and alleviate labor market problems. The recommendations in the study lead to suggestions for nine specialties and four skills for which training programs can be promoted. These are either initial training programs for individuals interested in working in these specialties, or continuing training programs for individuals interested in acquiring new and/or upgrading existing knowledge and skills. These programs help the trainees adapt to the ever-changing needs of businesses and of the economy, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. The training programs targeted at the unemployed are mainly implemented through the HRDA Plan "Unemployed Training Programs". This project includes both the enrichment and/or upgrading of the knowledge and skills of the unemployed as well as their placement in businesses/organizations to gain work experience and practical training.  

Developments 

The first educational programme providing continuing adult education was introduced on a voluntary basis in 1952 by a group of primary school teachers with the aim to help combat illiteracy, which was particularly high in rural areas of the island at that time. The programme was a success and, as a result, at Independence in 1960, the Adult Education Centres (Επιμορφωτικά Κέντρα) were established under the supervision of the Directorate of Primary Education. 
 
The Cyprus Productivity Centre (CPC) (Κέντρο Παραγωγικότητας) was established in 1963 by the Cyprus Government with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Office (ILO). The Government has undertaken full responsibility for the operation of the CPC (following decision 2463 by the Council of Ministers) as the co-operation agreement expired on 30 November 1974. CPC's main objective is to assist private and public organisations to utilise their human and capital resources in the best possible manner in order to increase productivity.
 
The Pedagogical Institute was founded in 1972 by decision of the Cabinet on the basis of the report - proposal submitted by Professor EG Wedell, Consultant of UNESCO in 1971 on "Cyprus - Teacher and Educational Development".
 
The Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) was originally established in 1974, under the name of Industrial Training Authority of Cyprus (ITA). Laws 21/1974, 6/1975, 17/1980 and 94/1988, provided for the establishment of the Industrial Training Authority as a semi-government organisation whose remit was to plan and approve programmes aimed at the technical and professional training and continuing education of adults. Law 125(I)/1999 provided for the evolution of the Industrial Training Authority into the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA).
 
The Evening Gymnasium (Εσπερινό Γυμνάσιο) was established in 1990, providing up to six years of lower and upper secondary general education).
 
The Cyprus Academy of Public Administration (CAPA) (Κυπριακή Ακαδημία Δημόσιας Διοίκησης) was established in 1991 on the basis of the Council of Ministers’ Decision Nr. 35.582, dated 22.05.1991, aiming to contribute to the modernisation of the Civil Service. It offers continuous learning workshops, seminars and day events especially designed for civil servants.
 
The Evening Technical School (Εσπερινή Τεχνική Σχολή) was established in Lefkosia in 1999/2000 on the premises of a regular technical school, aiming to offer “second chance” education to those who interrupted initial education.
 
The Open University of Cyprus, established under Law N. 234 (I) / 2002, effectively promotes lifelong learning and facilitates the participation of students who are otherwise employed. 
 
The Council of Ministers approved, in 2013, the status of the Mediterranean Institute of Management (MIM) as a public institution of tertiary education operating under the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance (Decision Nr. 75.439, dated 10.07.2013).
 
The Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training (MIEEK) were established as public schools of post-secondary non-tertiary education in 2013, aiming to offer vocational education and training to adults aged 18 or above. 
 
The New Modern Apprenticeship Scheme replaced the old apprenticeship scheme in 2013. 
 
Adult education and training validation schemes are in the process of development. 

Strengthening adult digital skills and access to Education and Training

In the framework of the implementation of the co-funded Project by the European Commission and the Republic of Cyprus for Adult Education for the period 2017-19, an Adult Education Conference was held on 22 June 2018 on "Enhancing adult digital competences and their access to Education and Training".

The project aims to increase the overall supply of digitally trained professionals to meet the many challenges posed by rapid technological developments.

Policy priorities

The persistent economic crisis and its adverse effects on the labor market, which include high levels of unemployment, especially among the young, pose a critical challenge for the education and training system of Cyprus. In such economic conditions, lifelong learning plays an important role as it allows human resources to improve their employability by upgrading their skills, adapt to changes and move freely between sectors, occupations and countries.
 
The   Cyprus lifelong learning strategy (CyLLS) was prepared by the Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, in cooperation with members of the technical committee for lifelong learning (comprising Directorate-General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus and Cyprus Productivity Centre).
The Cyprus Lifelong learning strategy (CyLLS) for 2014-20, approved by the council of ministers in June 2014, contains the main policy priorities for lifelong learning and sets the main actions that will be promoted by the Cyprus government.
 
It has four priority pillars:
  1. improving access to lifelong learning for all and recognising learning outcomes;
  2. improving the quality and efficiency of education and training;
  3. promoting research and development to support lifelong learning;
  4. improving employability (promoting entry and reentry to the labour market).
The main actions include:
  • operation of the national qualifications framework;
  • promotion of the system of vocational qualifications;
  • improvement of lifelong guidance and counseling services;
  • improvement of the attractiveness of secondary technical and vocational education;
  • modernization of curricula;
  • training the unemployed to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes in sectors with potential for development;
  • provision of job placements for the unemployed to acquire work experience in enterprises/organizations;
  • continuation of the new modern apprenticeship programme.