1 Adult Education in Cyprus Grundtvig 3 Conference: Quality of training activities Elpida Keravnou-Papailiou Vice-Rector Academic Affairs, University of Cyprus 17 November 2005

2 Strategic Goal of Europe The European Union to become, by 2010, the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society in the world (Lisbon, March 2000)

3 Principal Aim Achieve Social Cohesion Remove social inequalities and other obstacles Provide equal opportunities to all citizens in education Create a more democratic society

4 The Two Pillars of the Knowledge-Based Society European Higher Education Area European Research Area

5 Flexible Learning Paths Credits for transfer and accumulation Learning outcomes/competencies –Knowledge and skills –Generic and domain-related Formal and informal types of learning Self-directed learning – learn how to learn Life Long Learning

6 European Qualifications Framework (approved in Bergen in May 2005) Overarching framework for the development of National Qualifications Frameworks (progress expected to be shown by 2007)

7 NQFs Provide a “formal” framework for LLL Personal and Professional Development on a continuous basis

8 «any learning activity that can be undertaken throughout one’s lifetime with the purpose of improving one’s knowledge, skills and competencies, for personal, social or professional development» Definition of LLL

9 Significance of LLL Intrinsically coupled with Lisbon Goal In any discipline knowledge is not a static but a dynamic entity – continuously grows and changes (this is the purpose of research) Societal/technological developments call for the acquisition of new basic skills, e.g. computer-based skills

10 Necessity for Professional-Life Learning For the Regulated/Protected Professions –Education –Health –Safety of machinery and constructions

11 Participation in LLL: What is the target for Europe by 2010 Currently the adult participation in continuous education in Europe is 7.9% The aim is to raise it to 12.5% In Cyprus the adult participation is 3.7% - 3.8% of women and 3.6% of men

12 Adult Education in Cyprus

13 Adult Education/Learning Provision University of Cyprus Open University of Cyprus Private Schools of Tertiary Education State Institutes of Further Education (KIE) Adult Education Centres of the Ministry of Education & Culture Pedagogical Institute of Cyprus Evening programmes of Gymnasia/Technical Schools Apprenticeship Training Scheme Continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutes The Human Resource Development Authority Cyprus Productivity Centre Public Administration and Personnel Service Cyprus Academy of Public Administration

14 Examples of Adult Education Programmes in Cyprus Education/training in languages, new technologies and other areas Completion of secondary level education Training or professional-interest courses of short or long duration Formal university programmes at undergraduate or graduate levels Personal interest programmes

15 Training Programmes Attendance Managerial and other qualified staff % Technical staff % Secretarial saff % Technicians and machine operatorsunder 0.5% (data from the Statistics Service, 2000)

16 University of Cyprus School of Modern Greek Language Languages Centre – 2004 –Training of language educators in new technologies Open lecture series in all provinces, London and Marioupole Scholarship scheme for administrative staff Centre for Continuing Scientific Education, Evaluation and Development (KEPEAA)

17 KEPEAA Functions since 2002 In the period , 837 adults attended various continuing education programmes –Foreign languages (English – French – Turkish) Army Corporals –Strategy and Management Army Corporals –Development of New Parents –Economics and Business Administration Union of Bank Officers Pancyprian Cooperative Banks –Modern History / Classical Greek Secondary level educators –Fundamental People Skills World Youth Organization

18 Open University of Cyprus Established by law in 2002 Interim Governing Board appointed in 2003 Presently (2005) the Open University is recruiting its first staff Principal aims: –LLL opportunities to all people –Distance learning opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels –Opportunities for further education and for supplementing the qualifications of people in the workforce

19 Open University of Cyprus The aims of the Open University are geared towards the enhancement of people professional mobility and professional survival in an age of competition

20 State Institutes of Further Education Support LLL by offering language courses and computer skills training to adults The whole scheme is subsidized, so fees are relatively low. Tuition is free for certain, underprivileged, groups of people: –Unemployed degree holders –Blind telephone operators –Soldiers whose families have limited income –Political refugees

21 Adult Education Centres Have been operating since there are Centres in both the city and rural areas Education and training courses, on a variety of subjects, can be attended by any individual aged 15 or above The aim of the Centres is to promote basic skills for adults – early school leavers, older workers, people with low or no qualifications, unemployed, women, etc Tuition fees are low and are waved for individuals aged 65 or above The Centres can grant Certificates upon evaluation, that could lead to credit points in the future During the school year , adults attended various courses in 250 Centres with 470 teachers and instructors

22 Pedagogical Institute of Cyprus Has been undertaking the pedagogical, pre-service training of secondary level educators Offers continuing education programmes for primary and secondary level educators Particular emphasis given to the systematic training of school leaders Various reforms are currently under discussion –Centre for Research and Evaluation in Education –University of Cyprus to undertake the pre-service training –Open University to participate in the provision of continuing education programmes for educators, by distance

23 Evening programmes of Gymnasia/ Technical Schools Enable adults to acquire and/or complete their secondary education – the programmes offered have the same legal status as the formal programmes of the day schools The number of people attending the evening programmes has been steadily rising – 468 in and 640 in

24 Apprenticeship Training Scheme Organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Culture Designed for persons aged 15 years and above who have completed the three years of compulsory secondary education and have a vocational outlook Apprentices are employed in industry and receive general education and vocational training, on a day release basis, for a period of two years – scheme combines technical training with practical experience in industry The annual outflow in recent years comes to 250 apprentices

25 Continuing Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutes Their development is under discussion Envisaged goals: –To offer wider educational choices integrating multifaceted knowledge and the acquisition of life-long skills –To organize, develop and provide CTVET –To promote formal certification of vocational training –To harmonize VE & T with the educational system –To implement national and EU programmes of VE & T Intake: Lyceum/TS leavers, successful apprentices from the Apprenticeship Scheme, workers in various fields of economy

26 The Human Resource Development Authority Nation’s agency for human resource development Since the early 80’s has pursued the development of a flexible non-formal training system, able to meet the needs of the economy in basic skills as well as in continuing learning

27 The Human Resource Development Authority Skill shortages, over the next year or two, are forecasted on an annual basis through a human resources balance research study Studies that identify medium to long-term needs of the labour market are also carried out Skill mismatches between demand and supply addressed through initial training programmes – provide basic skills to –new entrants into the labour market –unemployed persons for meeting needs in occupations where there are skill/labour shortages

28 Cyprus Productivity Centre Established in 1963 Aim: to assist private and public organizations to develop their human resources and to improve their productivity Offers a wide range of management development programmes It also offers up-grading and ab-initio vocational training programmes for technicians

29 Public Administration and Personnel Service Promotes continuous training of civil servants in order to ensure that civil servants have the right skills, competencies and knowledge to perform to their maximum potential Organizes a range of seminars/training programmes for senior staff or other groups of staff in the public service It also organizes initiation/introductory courses for newly appointed staff

30 Cyprus Academy of Public Administration Collaborates with the Public Administration and Personnel Service Provides –Professional training –Training related to technical issues –Management/administration training –Training on computer programs

31 LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe A repository of educational thinking, good practices and ideas from all over Europe Celebrates its 10 th Anniversary

32 In a Knowledge Society The most important resource is the human resource LLL to become an inborn feature of life –National policy on LLL –Calls for close synergies between the education system the vocational training system the labour market system