This report was initiated by Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, and has been prepared by the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus, HRDA, which is the nominated National Coordinator of the European network ReferNet in Cyprus.

Cedefop established ReferNet as the European network of reference and expertise in vocational education and training. The aim of this network is to meet the growing demand for information on policies and developments in the area of vocational education and training in the European Union.

ReferNet is made up of national consortiums, each comprising organisations, which are representative of the interests of vocational education and training within each EU Member State, plus Norway and Iceland. ReferNet provides a forum for exchanging information through a decentralised approach based on the contribution of the national consortia.

This report provides information on national progress in VET towards EU policy goals within the framework of the Copenhagen process and according to the policy priorities defined in the Maastricht / Helsinki / Bordeaux Communiqués and related Council conclusions.

The National VET Policy Reports follow a common structure, which has been provided in the form of guidelines by Cedefop. It comprises of an introduction, a section on socio-economic challenges for future VET policy development, a section on VET policies as recovery measures for the economic crisis, six sections on policy measures in priority areas for national VET policy development and a section reflecting on progress in modernising European VET systems. The sections include information on the policy context, the progress from 2002 to beginning of 2010 and examples of policies / measures.

The HRDA, as the National Coordinator of ReferNet in Cyprus, wishes to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the other members of the Cyprus ReferNet Consortium in the preparation of this report.