Aim

The aim of the Scheme for the Employment and Training of Tertiary Education Graduates (hereinafter "the Scheme") is to improve the organisation and management of enterprises and organisations through the employment and training of new tertiary education graduates, as well as the smooth integration of the graduates into suitable employment positions. The Scheme provides incentives for enterprises/organisations to offer employment positions, practical training, and six-month’s work experience to graduates under the age of 30.

Basic Provisions

• The employment needs of enterprises/organisations are addressed through the recruitment and training of graduates who have successfully completed a higher education programme of at least three years in duration and hold, at minimum, a higher education diploma.

• Six-month training programmes are implemented.

• Employers must submit an application for participation in the Scheme (hereinafter "application") to obtain approval prior to the start of the graduate’s training program.

• Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year via the HRDA’s “Ermis” digital portal, no later than two months from the date the graduate is hired.

• The graduate must be under the age of 30 when the employer submits the application to participate in the Scheme.

• If the graduate has previous work experience related to the position employed in the company/organisation, this must not exceed eight months. It is clarified that the eight-month work experience refers to experience acquired after the graduate obtained his/her degree. Furthermore, any internship required for registration with a professional body or a register maintained by the Republic of Cyprus for the purpose of licensing a profession is not considered prior experience.

• A subsidy is paid to the employer against costs incurred by the employer for the training of the graduate, in accordance with the Scheme’s Funding Policy. The grant is subject to Regulation (EU) No 2023/2831 of the European Commission, dated 13 December 2023, concerning the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid.

Benefits for Enterprises/Organisations

• Improved organisation and management through the employment of individuals with relevant academic background.

• Rational distribution of tasks and responsibilities among enterprise/organisation personnel.

• Reduction of employment and training costs through HRDA’s Scheme subsidy, until the graduate becomes fully productive.

• Structured training and specialisation of the graduate in close cooperation with and under the guidance of the HRDA.

Benefits for Graduates

• Support in entering the labour market and securing employment.

• Familiarisation with the working environment and the opportunity to acquire additional skills, knowledge, and professional experience.

• A strong career start and accelerated advancement through the support and expertise of the HRDA.
   

Financial Support

• A subsidy is paid to the employer , amounting to €1,548 per month, against the costs incurred by the employer for the training of the graduate.

Minimum Graduate Salary

The HRDA sets the minimum gross monthly salary to be paid by the employer to the graduate during the training period and the first two months of employment at €1,248.

Further Information

For further information, interested parties are kindly requested to contact the Public Services Office at telephone number 22390300, via email at [email protected], or consult the Scheme's Policy and Procedures Guide provided below.