Purpose

The provision of initial and/or continuous training to the unemployed with the aim of significantly enhancing their knowledge and skills for effective integration or reintegration into employment. The objective is to enable them to work in occupations where there is a demand for skilled labour.

Provisions

• Programmes are organised in cooperation with Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).

• The Scheme is open to unemployed individuals registered with the Public Employment Service (PES), who are legal residents of Cyprus and have unrestricted access to the labour market.

• The Scheme aims to provide training opportunities for the unemployed to acquire, enrich, or upgrade their knowledge and skills in line with labour market needs, in order to broaden their prospects for employment, facilitate their smoother integration into the workforce and meet their aspirations for a new professional career.

• The training programmes are subsidised by the HRDA under the Scheme and cover a wide range of subjects across various professions and specialisations, covering all business and organisational functions.

• The Scheme also involves companies and organisations in providing participants with work experience and practical training. In programmes that include a practical workplace training component, the participants are given the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge to practice through real working conditions.

Financial Coverage

All programme costs are fully covered. Additionally, participants receive a training allowance on a monthly basis.

Collaboration

To inform all VTCs and participants, the HRDA issues a Policy and Procedures Guide, which outlines in detail the policies, procedures, and eligibility criteria/conditions for both contracting VTCs and participating companies/organisations (in programmes with a practical workplace training component), as well as for applicants.