Education and Training Monitor 2016 CYPRUS

Position of Cyprus in the EU-28

Main Findings Cyprus has considerably improved its performance: for early school leaving it has maintained a very high rate of tertiary educational attainment participation in early-childhood education and care is on the rise

Early School Leaving in Cyprus

and in the EU-28

Tertiary attainment in Cyprus

and in the EU

Early-childhood education and care

and in the EU

Main findings (continued) Cyprus has also initiated a strategic reform of the vocational education and training sector, both at upper-secondary and post-secondary levels. This effort aims to achieve a better balance between that sector and mostly private higher education, which strongly predominates at present.

Even more findings… But there are still major challenges for the country: the persistence of relatively low levels of basic skills and the continued lack of efficiency of public spending in the education system

Levels of Basic Skills (PISA 2012)

Share of education in public expenditure in Cyprus (2008-14)

…and more… the employability of graduates is still an issue adult learning is not widespread participation in VET remains limited (slides to be added by DG EMPL)

Employment of recent graduates (2007-15)

Adult learning by education level

And now finally … Ευχαριστώ πολύ !

The New Skills Agenda for Europe adopted 10 June 2016, focus on employability & competitiveness http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1223 I. IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND RELEVANCE OF SKILLS FORMATION Proposal for a Skills Guarantee Proposal for the review of the Key Competences Proposals on making VET a first choice (e.g. revision of EQAVET and ECVET) Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition II. MAKING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS MORE VISIBLE AND COMPARABLE Proposal for the revision of the EQF Skills Profile Tool for Third Country Nationals III. IMPROVING SKILLS INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION Proposal for the revision of the Europass Framework Blueprint for Sectorial Cooperation on Skills Analysis and sharing of best practice on brain drain Proposal on Graduate Tracking

Assessment Anticipation Skills Governance balancing skills supply & demand to provide a sound skills basis for economic development Assessment Anticipation Transmission Use Clear institutional mechanisms Targeting different audiences Involvement of stakeholders Shaping education & training offer Effective statistical infrastructure User-friendly information Career guidance (Non)-financial incentives ALMP

European Qualifications Framework translation grid for qualifications across the EU and beyond Based on the EQF Council Recommendation of 2008 Monitored by the EQF Advisory Group 8-level meta framework covering all types and levels of qualifications defined in terms of learning outcomes 23 MS have already referenced their national frameworks to the EQF 3 MS (CY, RO, SK) are in the process of referencing 2 MS (FI, ES) are planning to initiate referencing in 2016 15 MS are putting the EQF levels on certificates and diplomas

Employment and GDP - annual growth - Cyprus

Employment of recent graduates (2007-15) The skills mismatch is a challenge for Cyprus as employment rates vary strongly in line with the level of education. For lower qualifications (ISCED 0-2 level) the employment rate was 55.5 % in 2015, only slightly above the EU-28 average. For medium qualifications (ISCED 3-4) the rate was 69.6 % in 2015, this time slightly below the EU average. For higher qualifications (ISCED 5-8) it stood at 80.2 % in 2015, but below the EU-28 average (see graph). As regards systematic employment forecasting and the identification of skills gaps, the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA) provides 10-year employment forecasts on a regular basis (latest 2014-24). Analysis also was made on the Country report Cyprus 2016.

Long-term unemployment rate by educational attainment - Cyprus

VET participation in EU-28 (2014) The participation in vocational education and training (VET) in Cyprus was modest in 2014; at 14 %, it is slightly higher than a year earlier, but 35 pps. below the EU average.

CYPRUS VET Strategy 2016-2018 The long-term policy goals are: • developing, training and increasing the professionalisation of educational staff; • modernising the administrative structures of the educational system and of schools; • enhancing the quality of education by upgrading educational content, introducing evaluation and increasing effectiveness; • providing support to every pupil, while also acknowledging diversity; and • improving the transition to tertiary education. Measures in this respect include enhancement of the cooperation between Secondary Technical and Vocational Education (STVE) and businesses through social partners' dialogues, promotion of practical training (industrial placement) of STVE pupils in industry, and increasing the percentage of time STVE pupils spend in industry for their practical training, introduced as of the school year 2016-2017. The new Apprenticeship Scheme provides preparatory and core measures and develops about forty specialisations, on the basis of the apprentices’ demand, labour market needs and the readiness of organised employers to cooperate with the Ministry of Education.

ESF Funding Possibilities Priority axis 4. Development of skills of human resources Priority axis 2. Increase employment of young persons up to 29 years old and facilitate their entry in the labour market Priority axis 1. Improving employment prospects of the workforce - The integration of unemployed persons into the labour market by means of assisted employment, including vocational training. Table 1: Financial allocation by priority axis and Fund Priority axis Fund Union support National counterpart Total funding 1:Improving employment prospects of the workforce ESF 43.479.899 7.672.924 51.152.823 2: Increase the employment of young people up to 29 years of age and facilitation of entry in the labour market   14.448.000 2.549.648 16.997.648 YEI 23.144.202 2.042.136 25.186.338 3: Fighting poverty and social exclusion 27.000.000 4.764.707 31.764.709 4: Development of skills of the workforce and improvement of public administration efficiency 31.055.000 5.480.295 36.535.295 5: Technical assistance Implementation of ESF 1.433.887 253.039 1.686.926 Total ESF 117.416.786 20.720.613 138.137.399 Total YEI TOTAL for PROGRAMME 140.560.988 22.762.749 163.323.737 Priority Axes The use of resources allocated to Cyprus through the ESF and the YEI 2014-2020 will be promoted through the following five Priority axes: Priority axis 1. Improving employment prospects of the workforce Priority axis 1 aims at increasing the impact and effectiveness of cohesion policy and in particular employment policy for tackling the impact of the economic downturn, which has given rise to significant problems in the socio-economic fabric of the country. Significant effects of the crisis are recorded in matters related to the labour market, causing a drop in employment and increase in the number of unemployed, and especially for vulnerable groups, including the long-term unemployed, that are faced with an increasing risk of social exclusion and poverty. This requires the implementation of active employment policy measures and targeted measures promoting employment and creating new jobs, as well as modernising and supporting the public employment service (PES) to meet the requirements and (re)integration of the unemployed into the labour market. The objectives of axis will be achieved through two specific objectives: Increase the number of unemployed who are served in the employment offices as a result of improved capacity of bodies responsible for employment. The budget of the axis is approximately 31 % of the total amount of Community assistance under the programme. The axis is a direct contribution to achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and in particular to the national target in the national reform programme for employment, raising the employment rate to 75-77 % by 2020. Priority axis 2. Increase employment of young persons up to 29 years old and facilitate their entry in the labour market Priority Axis 2 aims to address rising unemployment of young people and in particular those not in employment, education or training, and their sustainable integration in the labour market. The results will be achieved through a combination of initiatives that are promoted through the European Social Fund and by harnessing the resources of the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). In the context of the axis will be implemented actions set out in the National Action Plan for Youth Employment, which includes, inter alia, actions for the implementation of a Youth Guarantee, with particular emphasis on young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). The objectives of the axis will be achieved through two specific objectives: Integration of young people aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education or training, into the labour market through placement in subsidised jobs and work experience. Integration of young people aged 15-29 who are not in employment, education or training, into the labour market through placement in subsidised jobs and work experience. The budget of the axis is approximately 27 % of the total amount of Community assistance under the programme. The financial support will be targeted through frontloaded actions because of the Youth Employment Initiative. The axis contributes directly to the achievement of the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, in particular in the national reform programme National objective of raising the employment rate to 75-77 % by 2020, as well as with the country-specific Council Recommendation of 2012 concerning, inter alia, help to address youth unemployment, with emphasis on work placements in companies. Priority axis 4. Development of skills of human resources and improvement of efficiency of the public administration The fourth priority axis of the programme aims to develop the skills and knowledge of the labour force and promote participation in lifelong learning in order to link the skills mismatch in the labour market. It also seeks to improve the effectiveness of the public administration, and strengthen the administrative capacity of social and economic partners. The objectives will be achieved through five individual specific objectives: Upgrading knowledge, skills and competences of the workforce and certification of formal, non-formal and informal learning. Increase the participation of young people aged 15-29 years in technical and vocational education training.and ensure a link between the educational system and the labour market mainly through placement in enterprises. Rational management of welfare benefits through a central management service. The reform of the public sector through completion of the studies foreseen in the MoU, and training of public officials for administrative changes. Upgrade the capacity of social partners for proper involvement and monitoring of co-financed programmes. The budget of the axis is approximately 22 % of the total amount of Community assistance under the programme.and contributes directly to the achievement of the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and in particular to the country-specific Council Recommendation of 2012 concerning the skills of the workforce to reinforce their occupational mobility towards activities of high added value and growth dynamics and the recommendation to address youth unemployment, with emphasis on work placements in co

European Commission-first raising VET attractiveness through Excellence and Quality.     European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen recently announced the organisation of the first raising VET attractiveness through Excellence and Quality. Various events and activities are being organised throughout Europe, by companies, Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers, social partners, as well as many other stakeholders. We are in the process of finalising the planning of events to take place in Brussels and you will hear more of that in due course.

And now finally … Ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ !