Review of provisions for plans of the Human Resource Development Authority

The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) informs the public about the revision of the provisions of the policy and procedures guides for the "Plan for staffing businesses with graduates of higher education" and the "plan for training the long-term unemployed in businesses/organizations". The revision concerns applications for participation in the two plans, which will be submitted from January 1, 2024 onwards.

The differences in the provisions of each plan are summarized below:

Business Staffing Plan with graduates of tertiary education
HRDA will subsidize the participant's training with the fixed amount of €1,400 per month, against the costs borne by the employer (participant's salary, instructor costs and other relevant current costs), with a maximum total grant amount of €8,400 (€1,400 x 6 months).

Training plan for long-term unemployed in businesses/organizations

Within the framework of its mission and strategic objectives, the HRDA has been operating since the t January 1s, 2024 until 31 December 2030 the project entitled "training plan Long-term unemployed in enterprises and organizations" (hereinafter referred to as the "scheme").
It is a project which replaced an earlier draft with the same name and expired on December 31st  2023.
The HRDA has the right to supplement and/or amend its terms and provisions, plan and/or terminate its operation, whenever it deems it appropriate prior to the intended expiry date. In such a case, the HRDA is obliged to inform interested parties.
The Human Resource Development Laws of 1999 to 2007 (hereinafter referred to as the "Law of the HRDA") and Article 21.
The Plan is also based on Regulation (EU) No. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty to European Union functioning on de minimis aid1 (hereinafter referred to as 'Regulation (EU) No .../... 2023/2831»].
The operation of the Plan requires its approval by the board of directors of the HRDA and informing the commissioner for state aid control (hereinafter referred to as "CSAC").
The purpose of the scheme is to provide an incentive in the form of a grant to employers (in the context of the HRDA Law) for the employment and training of long-term unemployed under the age of sixty (60) years old.
Long-term unemployed are defined as citizens who are registered in the public service employment (PSE) as unemployed for more than six (6) consecutive months, aged under sixty (60) years old. If the long-term unemployed person has completed a program of higher education studies of at least three (3) years duration and holds a higher education diploma, he/she must be between thirty (30) and sixty (60) years old on the date of submission of the employer's application for participation in the plan.
The scheme aims to provide opportunities for the long-term unemployed to integrate or reintegration into employment while acquiring the required knowledge and skills needed in a specific job. The plan also aims to staffing businesses/organizations with competent and trained personnel through employment and individualized training for the unemployed.
 According to the results of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) for the year 2021, Cyprus ranks 23 inthe EU as regards the human capital parameter. Basic digital skills of Cypriots remain below the EU average of 56 %, with only 45 % of people aged 16 to 74 having at least basic digital skills. 25 % of the population have digital skills beyond basic skills and 46 % have basic software skills, compared to 31 % and 58 % in the EU respectively. Results strongly illustrating the need to invest in the acquisition of digital skills for the whole general population of the country.
As regards the share of ICT specialists in all workers aged 15-74 and the overall share of ICT graduates, this is only 3.1 % and 2.9 % respectively, with women making up only 18 % of the ICT workforce. This poor performance of Cyprus, even though there has been a marginal improvement in recent years, contrasts with the growing demand for ICT specialists in the local market, both to meet the needs of existing businesses and foreign enterprises that are considering establishing and operating in Cyprus.
At the same time, the results highlight the importance of the education sector, as it is the basis on which we build the future, with our human capital equipped. The crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to narrowing the digital divide both in society and in the labour market, has put the spotlight on the need to nurture digital skills. As regards the education system, it highlighted the need to institutionalise teaching processes beyond face-to-face teaching (such as distance and hybrid teaching), to design actions to develop students’ digital skills horizontally, and to capitalise on the added value of digital media and tools in teaching and learning.
The State, led by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MOEC), and in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Education, Health and Social Security (YPAN), is engaged in the digital transformation of education, which includes in addition to policy issues and upgrading the facilities and equipment of schools, enriching the detailed programme with targeted activities and training teachers to integrate modern digital media into teaching.
It aims to harness digital means and tools to develop and nurture students’ digital skills across all disciplines and to harness the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) cross-cutting approach to develop 21stcentury skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, which, according to estimates by international organisations, are key to professional success.
An important tool in teacher training is the Digital Competence Framework for Educators (DigCompEdu), which provides a general reference framework to support the development of specific digital competences for teachers in Europe and is addressed to teachers at all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary level and adult education, including general and vocational education and training, specific education and non-formal learning frameworks.
 

Training programs for the green economy by the Human Resource Development Authority

The Cyprus  (HRDA) announces a call for applications to participate in training programs, within the project "Training programs for acquiring knowledge and skills related to the green economy". The project is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the European Union - NextGenerationEU through the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Specifically, the call concerns 18 academic subjects.
Those entitled to participate in the training programs, which are offered free of charge, include all citizens employed in the private, public and wider public sectors, self-employed and unemployed.
In the training programs that will be implemented exclusively for the unemployed, HRDA for each unemployed person pays a training allowance of €5 per hour of training and travel and other expenses allowance, which amounts to €8 per day or €12 per day for travel over 25 kilometers.
All interested can submit their application for participation through the "Mercury" system of the AND. It is noted that in order to be able to submit an application, interested parties must first register and be approved as natural persons in the "Mercury" system.
 

Recovery and Resilience Plan by KEPA

The Recovery and Resilience Plan by KEPA, includes the Digital Skills Training Project for People 55 and Over, and the National Action Plan for upgrading Digital Skills of Cypriot citizens.
1. "Digital Skills Training Project for People 55 and Over" funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Plan
Within the context of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (SRP), which is fully funded by the European Union, the Productivity Center implements during the period 2022-2025 the "Digital Skills Training Project for People 55 and Over" which aims to address the of digital exclusion among these people by improving their digital skills and strengthening their confidence in the use of technology.
2. National Action Plan for upgrading Digital Skills
The Productivity Center, in collaboration with the Department of Electronic Communications (DEC) of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, supports and implements actions to promote e-business since September 2017. Among other things, the action plan includes the implementation of e-Government Workshops and training programs in Digital Skills which are aimed at workers in the Private and Public Sector, the unemployed as well as the elderly. It is noted that since the beginning of the Project until today, more than 6,500 people have taken part in these programs.
 

Long Term Unemployment Training in Businesses/Organizations by HRDA

Within the framework of its mission and strategic objectives, the HRDA has been operating since the t January 1s, 2024 until 31 December 2030 the project entitled "training plan" "Long-term unemployed in enterprises and organizations" (hereinafter referred to as the "scheme").
It is a project which replaced an earlier draft with the same name and expired on December 31st  2023.
The HRDA has the right to supplement and/or amend its terms and provisions, plan and/or terminate its operation, whenever it deems it appropriate prior to the intended expiry date. In such a case, the HRDA is obliged to inform interested parties.
The Human Resource Development Laws of 1999 to 2007 (hereinafter referred to as the "Law of the HRDA") and Article 21.
The Plan is also based on Regulation (EU) No. Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2831 of 13 December 2023, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty to European Union functioning on de minimis aid1 (hereinafter referred to as 'Regulation (EU) No .../... 2023/2831»].
The operation of the Plan requires its approval by the board of directors of the HRDA and informing the commissioner for state aid control (hereinafter referred to as "CSAC").
The purpose of the scheme is to provide an incentive in the form of a grant to employers (in the context of the HRDA Law) for the employment and training of long-term unemployed under the age of sixty (60) years old.
Long-term unemployed are defined as citizens who are registered in the public service employment (PSE) as unemployed for more than six (6) consecutive months, aged under sixty (60) years old. If the long-term unemployed person has completed a program of higher education studies of at least three (3) years duration and holds a higher education diploma, he/she must be between thirty (30) and sixty (60) years old on the date of submission of the employer's application for participation in the plan.
The scheme aims to provide opportunities for the long-term unemployed to integrate or reintegration into employment while acquiring the required knowledge and skills needed in a specific job. The plan also aims to staffing businesses/organizations with competent and trained personnel through employment and individualized training for the unemployed.
 

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