Long Term Unemployment Training in Businesses/Organizations
The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) has extended the duration of the Long-Term Unemployment Training Plan to 30 June 2021. The Plan works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security and aims to minimize the number of long-term unemployed and their smooth integration/reintegration into employment, while gaining work experience and specialized complementary knowledge and skills. The Plan encourages businesses/organizations to provide employment and training to the long-term unemployed, meeting their needs for qualified staff. For each unemployed person hired, a four-month in-person training program is designed that takes into account the job requirements, duties, knowledge, and responsibilities. The Plan includes long-term unemployed people under the age of 60, who must be registered with the Public Employment Service (PES) for more than six consecutive months until the date of their employment by the company/organization.
Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA) announces the start of operation of the Long-Term Unemployed Training Plan in Businesses / Organizations at the Hermes digital portal from January 1, 2022.
Business Staffing Plan with Graduates of Higher Education
Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA) announces the start of operation of the Business Staffing Plan with Higher Education Graduates at the Hermes digital portal from January 1, 2022.
Multi-company Training Programs for the first 6 months of 2022 The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) approved the multi-company training programs that will be implemented by Vocational Training Centers (KEK) in the first half of 2022. The training concerns 76,500 employees and unemployed, at a cost of € 23.3 million. The programs, which cover issues identified by the HRDA after contacts with stakeholders, aim at training and upgrading the employees, helping to improve productivity, enhance competitiveness and develop business resilience. The approved programs fall into three categories: Multi-company Training Programs - Usual One thousand eight hundred and fifteen (1,815) specifications were approved for the implementation of 2,573 training programs with the participation of 72,000 people with a total cost of € 20 million. Multi-company Training Programs – of vital importance Seventy programs were approved with the participation of 2,000 people with a total cost of € 20 million. Continuing Training Programs for Trade Union Executives Forty specifications were approved for the implementation of 89 training programs with the participation of 2500 people with a total cost of € 0,3 million.
Provision to raise achievement in basic skills
State Institutes of Further Education (KIE) The State Institutes of Further Education (KIE) provide courses in basic skills (foreign languages, computer studies, and accounting) to pupils and adults, aiming to combine socio-cultural development with the possibility of gaining more formal academic qualifications. They also offer consolidation lessons for Gymnasium and Lyceum pupils, as well as preparatory lessons for the Pancyprian Examinations and other external, international examinations. Since 2003, free lessons of Greek are offered to Turkish Cypriots and migrants and free lessons in Turkish are offered to Greek Cypriots. KIE started operating at first as Institutes of Foreign Languages and eventually began offering classes in other subjects. They perform social work, with benefits and tuition waivers to needy and outstanding students. They come under the Directorate of Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture and operate on the premises of public secondary schools in urban and rural areas. There were 41 State Institutes of Further Education in 2010/2011, operating in urban and rural areas in all districts with over 15.000 students. Lessons start in the middle of September and conclude at the end of May, are held twice a week from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and some morning and evening classes are offered for adults only. Each lesson lasts for 90 minutes. The minimum number of students is 12 for urban, 10 for rural and 5 for remote areas. Assessment includes tests and oral assessment as well as final written examinations on a Pancyprian basis. Progress reports are provided to participants each term and certificates of successful attendance are awarded to those who pass. Students can also take external examinations in order to obtain qualifications in foreign languages. Details on the courses offered as well as other relevant information, are available from the website of the State Institutes of Further Education, Ministry of Education and Culture.
The Adult Education Centres Programmes (Επιμορφωτικα Κέντρα)
The Adult Education Centres come under the Directorate of Primary Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture and operate on the premises of public primary schools in urban and rural areas. They offer afternoon and evening classes on various subjects, aiming at the social, personal or professional skills development of adults and pupils fifteen years old and over. There were 395 Adult Education Centres in 2010/2011, operating in all districts. The general purpose of the Training Centres is the all-round development of the personality of each individual and the social, economic and cultural progress of citizens and society in general. The Adult Education Centres have commenced operation in 1960, offering training opportunities to thousands of people aged 15 years and older. They offer about 70 different themes every year. In the period 2011/2012, 27.454participants were enrolled. There are currently on offer courses on the teaching and learning of foreign languages; cultural courses; health courses; practical implementation courses; courses for acquiring vocational skills and courses of general interest. The Adult Education Centres are also providing, free of charge, Greek language courses for Turkish Cypriots, Turkish language courses for Greek Cypriots and Greek language courses to migrants and other foreign language speaking residents of Cyprus. Attendance at any other course involves fees, except for the case of pensioners aged over 65 years who attend free of charge. Detailed information on the courses offered is available from the website of the Adult Education Centres, Ministry of Education and Culture. Assessment at the Adult Education Centres is mainly informal with no final examinations or practice tests required for certification purposes. At the end of each course, the participants receive a certificate of attendance. Private Institutes Private Institutes all around Cyprus, registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture, offers courses for adults who like to improve their skills in mathematics, Greek, computers, and foreign languages. Students in the private institutes prepare for external examinations in the above subjects. During the academic year 2011/2012, 32.145 students (adults and children) were registered in the private institutes.
Provision to achieve a recognized qualification during adulthood
Higher Education
The Open University of Cyprus
The Open University of Cyprus (Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου) located in Lefkosia, is the only higher education institution dedicated to distance learning providing recognized courses at all levels (undergraduate level, master and doctorate), in Cyprus. It offers self-funded lifelong learning programs besides its academic programs. The Open University started operation in the academic year 2006-2007. It operates under the Ministry of Education and Culture. The administrative bodies of the Open University are the Council, the Senate, the Rector, the Vice-Rector, and the Deans. OUC (APKY’s) main objective is to satisfy society's needs for specialized knowledge and develop transferable skills with modern high-quality university programs of study, powered by the latest developments in research, technology, pedagogy, and methodology of innovation. The graduate program focuses on the scientific area of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning and dialectically examines two main pillars: a) the General Adult Education, and b) Vocational Education and Training. The program aims to equip learners with cognitive (theoretical and practical) and metacognitive (methodological, epistemological) skills that will allow them to understand in-depth General Adult Education and Vocational Education and Training, within the general area of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, with a view to pass from understanding the stages of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application of new knowledge. The Open University of Cyprus also offers self-funded vocational programs and continuing education modules at the undergraduate level. During the academic year 2014-2015, there were 4800 students enrolled in 21 study programs. The language of instruction is Greek, while the two Master programs are offered in the English language. Today, the OUC (APKY) offers recognized degree programs, in the following Schools:
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Natural and Applied Sciences
- Faculty of Economics and Administration
The Government subsidy for the Open University in 2014 was € 5.737.510 for 4.727 students in 21 programmes.
The Mediterranean Institute of Management
The Mediterranean Institute of Management (Μεσογειακό Ινστιτούτο Διεύθυνσης) (MIM) was founded in 1976, following a decision of the Council of Ministers. The Institute constitutes the international component of the Cyprus Productivity Center, which is a department of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance (MLWSI). More than 1290 graduates have completed their Master’s degrees to date. Thirty-five students on the average are admitted each year. The students themselves fund the program. The Mediterranean Institute of Management offers two postgraduate programs in Management, namely the Postgraduate Diploma in Management and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration, at its premises in Lefkosia. The latter is offered during evening hours. The Mediterranean Institute of Management programs is offered to university graduates or those with equivalent qualifications. In addition, applicants must have a good knowledge of English and Greek and be employed in the private or broader public sector and pass a required admission test set by the institution itself. The Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration consists of five modules. The postgraduate program at the MIM leads to the award of a Diploma which, by the decision of the Council of Ministers (Decision Nr. 28.667), satisfies the requirement of the schemes of service of positions in the Civil Service for which postgraduate studies in the management of one-year duration are recognized as an additional qualification. The Diploma is also recognized in the private sector. In order to gain the Diploma, students must successfully complete all five modules and a Diploma project.
Programs at the secondary level
Εvening gymnasiums/lyceums (εσπερινά γυμνάσια/λύκεια)'Formal adult education programs at the secondary level of education are offered by evening gymnasiums/lyceums in the 5 towns of Cyprus. They are ‘second chance’ education programs for those who left initial education without mainstream school qualifications. In order to attend one of the evening schools, an applicant must usually be aged over fifteen, employed or have been unable to complete his/her education for whatever reason. The evening schools offer programs of seven years duration, as compared to six years in the regular secondary schools. The curriculum is the same as that followed in secondary schools, except for the fact that Physical Education and Music are not offered at the evening schools. Individuals are placed in an appropriate grade according to the level of education they have already reached. If necessary, an applicant may also be asked to sit a placement examination internally set by the school. Lessons start on the 20th of September and end on the 3rd of June for all grades except for the final (seventh) grade, which finishes on the 22nd of May to allow for preparation for final examinations. Classes usually start at around 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The school leaving certificate awarded by the evening schools is equivalent to that of the regular secondary schools of Cyprus. Graduates of the evening schools can continue their studies at the university level, provided that they fulfill the entrance requirements, i.e. have passed the Pancyprian Examinations in order to be admitted to public universities of Cyprus.
Vocational training
The Activities of CPC include:
- Providing scientific and administrative support to the Productivity Council
- Employment Grant Scheme with Flexible Settings
- Technical Vocational Training
- Management of projects and projects implemented with EU funds or co-financed by the EU
- Training in Managerial Development
Human Resource Development Authority
The Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) is a semi-government organization, which reports to the Government through the Minister of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance. Its mission is to create the necessary prerequisites for the planned and systematic training and development of human resources in Cyprus. The HRDA is not a training provider itself, but it subsidizes training programs implemented by public or private institutions and enterprises. It was founded in 1979 and on November 1st1999 the HRDΑ Law no.125 (I) 1999, was applied. During the period 2011/2012, 53.724 adults were trained in the various programs subsidized by HRDA. The Human Resource Development Authority, which is the main provider of adult learning in Cyprus, has published the following aims for the year 2015:
- Contributing to the enrolment of unemployed in the labor market: The priority is to continue with existing employment schemes especially introduced in order to face the effects of the economic crisis. Estimated budget: €13.403.878.
- Promoting lifelong learning for those being in employment: Within this aim, the priority is to promote the acquisition of “green skills”; skills and knowledge related to petroleum and physical gas management; digital skills; and, research, development, and innovation skills and knowledge. Estimated budget: €9.940.682.
- Strengthening the quality assurance systems: Within this aim, the intensive promotion of the Vocational Qualifications System is a priority. Estimated budget: €2.044.415.
- Promoting research and development: The aim includes for the appraisal of employment and training needs in the economic sectors of petroleum and natural gas; and, the green and the blue/marine economy.
- Promoting effective governing.
- Placement Plan for Young Unemployed Graduates to get work experience in Business / Organizations - 2015
- Placement Plan for Unemployed Youth Alumni of secondary schools, technical colleges, and post-secondary education up to two years to get work experience in Business / Organizations – 2015
- Business Plan for Staffing businesses with tertiary education graduates
- Hotel/Food Industry
- Manufacturing
- Building Industry
- Wholesale and Retail Trade
- Repair Vehicles
- Provide Professional Training
- Communication Systems And Networks / Computers
- Hairdressing.
Indicators of participation In HRDA’s activities 2011 – 2017
HRDA has recently released a study on the participation of enterprises in HRDA activities for the years 2011-2017. As a result of the economic crisis, the number of training programs was negatively affected in the years 2013 and 2014. An improvement in the income of HRDA and the enterprises had, as a result, the increase of both subsidies and the number of beneficiaries in the following years.
After a decline in the years 2013 (31%) and 2014 (37%), HRDA subsidies to enterprises have increased during the years 2015(24%), 2016(22%) and 2017(16.9%) to reach €16,8m.
The number of beneficiaries also declined in the years 2013 (7%) and 2014 (4%) before increasing in the years 2015(1%), 2016(5%) and 2017(6.3%) to reach 72677.
Call for applications for unemployed participation
Provision of initial and/or continuing training for the unemployed for substantially improving their knowledge and skills for productive integration or reintegration into employment and to enable them to engage in occupations where there is a demand for skilled labor.
Provision targeting the transition to the labor market
Higher education
Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus (HHIC) (Ανώτερο Ξενοδοχειακό Ινστιτούτο Κύπρου)
The (Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus (HHIC) is a continuation of the Central Hotel Training School (C.H.T.S.) founded in 1965, and the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI) that succeeded it, founded in 1969 as a joint project of the Republic of Cyprus, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Office (I.L.O.). Both institutions, the Central Hotel Training School (C.H.T.S.) and the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI) functioned side by side until April 1971 when the former merged with the latter. Since the finalization of the joint project in July 1974, the Institute has been operating as a government institution, under the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. In May 1993, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus approved the upgrading of the Institute to a Tertiary Educational Institution of Hotel and Catering Education and the renaming of the Institute to Higher Hotel Institute, Cyprus (HHIC). The Institute has since its establishment, been the main source for highly trained personnel for the Hotel Industry. During its forty years of existence, the Institute has provided education and training to thousands of young people from Cyprus as well as many other countries. The Higher Hotel Institute has been operating as a government institution, under the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance. The Institute offers full-time Diploma Programmes as follows:
- Two-year Hotel and Catering Operations
- Three-year Culinary Arts
Cyprus Forestry College (Δασικό Κολλέγιο Κύπρου)
The Cyprus Forestry College is a Government Institution, within the Department of Forests of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment. It was established in 1951, to meet the increasing needs of Cyprus, the Middle East and other interested countries for the training of supervisory (sub-professional) staff in the general principles of forestry practices. The College is located at Prodromos village which is the highest in the elevation village of Cyprus. The College offers the following three levels of forestry courses:
- The Diploma Course leading to the Diploma in Forestry
- The Six-month Post Diploma Course leading to the Higher Diploma in Forestry and
- The Short Training Course leading to the Certificate in Forestry.
The Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment has announced that for the academic year 2015 - 2016 no more students will be admitted to Forestry Apprenticeship at the Cyprus Forestry College.
Police Academy of Cyprus (Αστυνομική Ακαδημία Κύπρου)
The Cyprus Police Academy is the exclusive educational and training institution of members of the Police Corps. Before 1990 it was called the School of Cyprus Police (S.A.K.) In 1990, it was renamed the Police Academy (A.A.K.). It is recognized as a School of Higher Education in accordance with Law 68 (I) 96 and enjoys a status Public Educational Institution of Higher Education. There are three schools:
- The Officers’ School
- The School of Sergeants and Recruits
- The School of foreign languages
The mission of the Officers’ School is to provide education and training on managerial issues to Officers of all ranks (Inspectors, Chief Inspectors, Senior officers). It organizes special courses and seminars in accordance with the educational needs of senior police officers.
Secondary and post-secondary education
Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training
The Cyprus Cabinet decided in February 2012 on the establishment and operation of post-secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training (M.I.E.E.K.). The "Teaching and Learning in Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education", in Chapter 6: "Secondary and Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education". AIM: The purpose of M.I.E.E.K. is to offer modern curricula, which will provide scientific, technical and professional knowledge and skills and at the same time will be characterized by flexibility and adaptability to the ongoing, rapid changes in employment, the economy, occupations, and content of occupations Objectives of MIEEK are:
- To appeal to graduates of Secondary Education, in areas not offered at the post-secondary level by other Public Schools or other organizations of the Republic.
- To offer opportunities for citizens of Cyprus and especially young people to acquire, improve or upgrade their qualifications and skills, so that they become better able to get employed. Students admitted, are graduates of secondary education who are not in Tertiary Education, who require appropriate professional education and training to enter the labor market.
- To offer programs for facilitating access and integration in the labor market for Secondary Education graduates and people who have difficulty in integration/reintegration into employment.
- To offer programs to further promote Lifelong Learning focusing on supporting the adaptability of the workforce and the use of new technologies and modern production processes.
- To promote effective and implement actions that are supported by the structural funds of the European Union.
The MIEEK are open to graduates of secondary education, either the Lyceums or the Technical / Vocational Schools. Their students may be of any age over eighteen. Admission is based on predetermined selection criteria. Attendance is free of charge. The duration of studies in Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training is two academic years operating on a 5-day school week basis, with lessons starting at 4.00 p.m. and ending at 9.00 p.m. every day. Upon successful completion of their studies, the graduates of MIEEK are awarded the qualification of ‘Higher Technician’. For further information on learner assessment/progression and certification, please refer to Article 6.12: "Assessment in Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education", in Chapter 6: "Secondary and Post-Secondary Non-Tertiary Education".
Evening technical schools
Two evening Technical Schools (Εσπερινές Τεχνικές Σχολές) are operating in Lefkosia and Limassol, offering formal education programs at secondary level l to students over 15 years old who have a gymnasium diploma. The evening Technical Schools offer programs of four years duration, as compared to three years in the regular secondary schools. Lessons start in the middle of September and end at the beginning of June. Classes usually start at around 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The approach to learner assessment and progression at the evening Technical Schools is very similar to that used in regular secondary schools. There are daily oral assessment and written examinations at the end of each year. The school leaving certificate awarded by the evening Technical Schools equivalent to that of the regular secondary schools of Cyprus. Graduates of the evening Technical Schools can continue their studies at the university level, provided that they fulfill the entrance requirements, i.e. have passed the Pancyprian Examinations in order to be admitted to public universities of Cyprus.
Provision of liberal (popular) adult education
Other types of publicly subsidized provision for adult learners
The Pedagogical Institute (Παιδαγωγικό Ινστιτούτο)
The Pedagogical Institute was founded in 1972. Its mission is to ensure the continuous training of teachers at all levels, to inform them about the latest trends in education, document research and theoretical steps to educational policy and make it easier for teachers in their efforts to professional and personal development. The Pedagogical Institute offers in-service training programs for teachers working in public schools at the pre-primary, primary and secondary school levels. There are obligatory and optional training programs on offer. Obligatory programs are provided for newly promoted secondary school Headteachers; newly promoted primary school Headteachers; deputy-Head teachers of secondary education; and, newly appointed teachers of all levels and their mentors (induction program). The main building and the premises of the Pedagogical Institute located in Latsia while the Institute also operates in Limassol.
Cyprus Academy of Public Administration (CAPA) (Κυπριακή Ακαδημία δημόσιας Διοίκησης)
The Cyprus Academy of Public Administration (CAPA) located in Lefkosia, offers seminars, workshops and day events, specially designed for civil servants, aiming to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Civil Service through the development of the management capabilities of its departments. Pre-service training courses are obligatory for new entrants in the Civil Service. During the period 2011/2012, 2.891 employees of the Civil Service took classes. Moreover, CAPA is involved in "Decentralized Learning Activities" aiming at the decentralization of the management of learning at the level of each civil service organization. The mechanism for the implementation of this initiative at the level of each organization is the so-called 'Learning Unit', which is composed of officers designated by their management specifically for this function. CAPA offers training to the members of the Learning Units before they undertake their tasks. Some frequently requested by the Learning Units activities, which CAPA offers, refer to the management of learning, personal and interpersonal skills and organizational and management development in the public sector, as well as European Union issues. CAPA practices participative techniques in its training and development programs, based on experiential and adult learning approaches. These encourage the use of work-based projects, thereby combining job-related problem solving with learning. CAPA supports these initiatives with follow-up meetings and other activities so as to ensure the effective transfer of learning from the classroom to the workplace.