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It gives me great pleasure to address today's event entitled "European Year of Skills: continuing the effort", organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus and the National Coordinator of the European Year of Skills.
As it is known, 2023 has been designated by the European Commission as the European Year of Skills. In the context of this initiative and the joint efforts and actions developed during this period, significant steps have been taken in the development of the skills of all citizens in order to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. Despite the fact that the European Year of Skills has passed, the need for a deeper understanding and further enhancement of the way in which modern learning, work, technological and other skills are developed remains urgent. To this end, we need to build on the knowledge and experience gained from the European Year of Skills to turn the challenges of our time into opportunities for progress and change.
It is clear that developments such as the digital transition and the green deal are placing new demands on the labour market, making the cultivation and development of modern skills more necessary than ever. The role of education is essential if we wish to fulfil our aspirations for a healthy economy, based on the acquisition of the right skills. The pedagogical integration of both specific and cross-cutting skills into learning practice and the development of digital and green skills are essential ingredients for promoting strong social development at all levels. The transition from a material-centred and anachronistic school to a modern and human-centred school that cultivates attitudes and skills is imperative. As the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, in the context of the school we are pursuing, we have set ourselves the goal of doing just that: to equip our children and young people with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to enable them to make the most of their abilities and talents on a personal, educational, professional and social level.[/I] Based on the Governance Programme we systematise, organise and review educational policies and actions in order to enable our students, young people to learn, innovate, create, communicate, express themselves, work and participate actively in society.
In terms of specific policies and actions related to the European Year of Skills, our Ministry supported the national and Europe-wide effort, encouraging initiatives focused on studying diverse and changing skills, strengthening research-based education policies and promoting new skills. In addition to our contribution and participation in the National Action Plan for the European Year of Skills, we designed and implemented a specific Interdepartmental Action Plan, with related policies and the aim of enhancing the skills of all our students, taking into account the necessity of the green and digital transition and of linking skills to the needs of employment and the economy. At the same time, we have implemented a series of additional actions such as: updating and promoting educational material, scientific conferences, teacher training, workshops for students, educational competitions and adoption of good practices implemented in Cyprus and abroad. In particular, the process of modernising and updating the curricula for all subjects at all school levels has already begun, and will soon be completed. A key pillar of this process is the horizontal promotion of key modern skills, as defined by the Council of Europe. By further investing in skills, at all school levels and based on modern pedagogical principles, we aim to improve learning outcomes and provide equal opportunities for all children to access and participate in the learning process and the school community, without exclusion and discrimination.
The digital transformation of school units and the strengthening of the digital skills of our teachers and students is an important part of the reform of our education system to meet modern requirements.We invest in digital education through the integration of modern technologies such as robotics and programming in all school levels in a meaningful pedagogical way. [/I]We accelerate the promotion of digital enhancement of schools, the provision of modern tools and media, the upgrading of digital education, the certification of digital skills and the provision of specialised training programmes to develop basic digital skills for all population groups.
A central role in the development of skills, according to current educational research, is played by pre-primary education. Recognizing this role, we are gradually expanding free compulsory pre-primary education from the age of four years, following the recent approval of the relevant bill by the House of Representatives, offering learning experiences of skill development from pre-school age.
Equally, we are continuously investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, which, it is important to stress, has teaching and skills development at its core. We aim to further upgrade Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, as well as the Post-secondary Vocational Education and Training Institutes, by implementing, for the first time, a total of thirty-two programmes, of which seven are new programmes. Our aim is, from the next school year, to further increase and improve the quality of the programmes in the Technical Schools. In this context, we are strengthening the link between the education provided and the labour market and the practical training of students in real and modern working environments. It is noted that the effort continues, in cooperation with a number of stakeholders, adopting a series of actions and policies aimed at a smooth transition of young people to the labour market.
Our policies could not fail to include actions to develop skills related to the circular economy, sustainability and climate change. To this end, we are strengthening the work of the Unit for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development, with the aim of monitoring the implementation and updating the National Strategic Plan for Environmental Education, with a focus on Sustainable Development, which is the main policy document of the Republic of Cyprus on this issue.
Another area to which we attach particular importance is to further strengthen the Professional Learning of our teachers, shifting the focus to flexible and innovative learning experiences and processes, for maximum utilization of our excellent teaching staff and more effective upgrading of pedagogy in our schools, in order to achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
With regard to the key sector of Higher Education, it is important to note that a dialogue has been announced to start to upgrade it through modernisation, further internationalisation, increasing the number of scholarships offered and linking it to the labour market. Our aim is to soon complete both the dialogue and the relevant legislation.
In relation to lifelong learning, we promote programmes based on modern concepts so that citizens of all ages have opportunities for formal, non-formal and informal education to develop modern skills, taking into account adaptation according to age, work and other specific factors. These programmes contribute to the qualification and re-qualification of the workforce, offering opportunities for all to develop their skills.
In addition, our Ministry coordinates, through the Office for European and International Affairs, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, the implementation of the National Strategy for Lifelong Learning 2021-2027. This Strategy has as a key priority the reduction of youth unemployment, the upgrading of skills and the re-skilling of young people and the workforce through the provision of learning opportunities that reflect the needs of the labour market. At the same time, the National Strategy promotes the systematic analysis of labour market needs and skills projections, which will lead to the design of programmes that will effectively prepare our graduates for the future.
It is important to note that the effort to enhance the skills of our young people in order to facilitate their integration into the labour market, as well as to strengthen their entrepreneurial activity, is included in the objectives of the Year of Youth 2024.
It is important to note that the effort to enhance the skills of our young people in order to facilitate their integration into the labour market, as well as to strengthen their entrepreneurial activity, is included in the objectives of the Year of Youth 2024. The decision to designate 2024 as the Year of Youth has been announced by the President of the Republic himself and gives consistency and continuity to the efforts made during the European Year of Skills 2023 to enhance the active involvement of our young people in decision-making processes and to develop a public dialogue with them.
As a Government, we will continue our targeted and committed efforts, in cooperation with all our educational, labour, political and social partners, to ensure that our young people have the necessary skills to excel in the labour market and build a better future for our Cyprus. The young people of our country are our future and our hope. It is therefore imperative that we address the issues that concern them with responsibility and attention, because they deserve a modern and socially sensitive country, a country that offers equal and high quality employment opportunities. To this end, the acquisition of basic and appropriate skills is considered crucial, considering that skills gaps and mismatches in the labour market can result in reduced employment prospects, reduced job satisfaction, lower wages, increased stress and a negative impact on the health and general well-being of our young people.
In conclusion, I warmly congratulate the organisers of today's event, which I am sure will provide a fruitful platform for an exchange of views and contribute to the realisation of the objectives we have set. The positions and discussions that will be developed will contribute to all our efforts to modernise our education system, but also to the promotion of coordinated and systematic actions and activities by all stakeholders. I am convinced that, with hard work and cooperation, our young people, by completing their studies in the education system and entering the world of work, will acquire all the skills that will enable them to adapt quickly to the changing conditions and needs of the labour market and society in general.
Thanking you for the invitation, I hope that this event will serve as a springboard for continuing efforts to promote policies and actions for the acquisition of basic skills by our children, young people and young people.
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