Purpose

The provision of training programmes to employees in the private, public, and broad public sectors, as well as to the self-employed and the unemployed, in the field of digital skills, aligning with the constantly evolving needs of the labour market.

Key Provisions

• The project aims to help the human resources of Cyprus in acquiring new and upgrading existing digital skills, through their participation in training programmes implemented by Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).

• Natural persons employed in the private, public, and broad public sectors, as well as the self-employed and the unemployed, who consider that participation in the training programme meets their individual training needs, are eligible to participate in the project.

• The VTCs that participate in "mini-tenders" for the implementation of training programmes are selected through a tender procedure for the conclusion of a framework agreement. The framework agreement sets the conditions under which the services for implementing the training programmes will be provided.

• The VTCs that implement the training programmes are selected through public procurement "mini-tenders", for the conclusion of public contracts.  Each tender includes a number of training programmes and consists of simplified tender documents containing all the necessary details of the programmes to be implemented.

• Applications for participation in the training programmes under the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan must be submitted  via the HRDA's "Ermis" digital portal or the HRDA website.

• Those interested in participating in the training programmes must first register as natural persons in the "Ermis" digital portal.

Financial Coverage

All programme costs are covered and participation in the programmes is free of charge. Additionally, allowances are provided to unemployed participants for their participation in specific training programmes that are addressed exclusively to unemployed persons.

Cooperation

To inform VTCs and participants, the HRDA issues a Policy and Procedures Guide, which outlines in detail the policies, procedures and eligibility criteria/conditions for approval at each stage of the project's implementation.