The 2023 European Year of Skills kicked off with the 1st pan-European campaign hosted at the Filoxenia Conference Center in Nicosia. The event marked the beginning of a series of initiatives and awareness-raising campaigns scheduled to take place across the European Union in the coming months.

Attended by representatives from the educational and academic sector, employer organizations, and the Public Service, the campaign featured speeches by Ministers of Labor and Education, as well as by MEP Loucas Fourlas, the rapporteur of the European Parliament’s report.

The event was also attended by esteemed guests, including members of the Cypriot Parliament, the Ambassador of Greece, and Permanent Secretaries from Ministries and Deputy Ministries. Notably, Fourlas' report received an absolute majority vote, and the signing of the 2023 Year of Skills took place recently in Strasbourg.

The European Year of Skills has a twofold objective: to help individuals acquire the necessary skills for quality jobs and to assist companies, particularly small and medium enterprises, address skills shortages within the EU. This ambitious undertaking aims to achieve its targets by showcasing opportunities and activities for skills development throughout Europe, facilitating the recognition of qualifications across borders, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation among organizations and individuals, and elucidating how EU initiatives and funding can provide further support.

Moreover, the European Year of Skills seeks to invigorate lifelong learning, and to enable citizens and businesses to actively contribute to the green and digital transition while promoting innovation and competitiveness. Overall, the conference successfully brought together stakeholders to strategize and coordinate efforts for the upcoming year.

Labor Minister, Yiannis Panagiotou, announced that his Ministry has already prepared an action plan, which is scheduled to be presented to the Ministerial Cabinet in the following week. A press conference is planned for June 2, regarding the future planned actions that will be implemented throughout the year. The action plan is structured around three pillars: promotion of specialization and accreditation, encouragement of modern professional culture, and improvement of professional learning. The Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind, particularly workers nearing the age of 60 who ought to update their skills and knowledge in order to avoid functional illiteracy.

Furthermore, the Education Minister, Athena Michailidou, underscored the necessity for swift reforms which will put emphasis on equipping individuals with the skills needed for progress and adaptability. Additionally, she highlighted the vision for a modern school and called for collective action and continuous modernization in education. Ms. Michailidou also stated that the significance of collaboration and cooperation in providing genuine opportunities to the youth, who represent the future citizens of the EU, is greater than ever.

Moreover, the conference featured round table discussions with distinguished individuals, such as the Commissioner for the Environment, the Commissioner for Gender Equality, academics, and representatives from various organizations and institutions. These discussions revolved around the role of skills in education, work, and the challenges in Cyprus, as well as their impact on youth, environment, gender, and new technologies.

The Ministry of Labor is already focusing on socially targeted training programs, offering free training to individuals over the age of 55 to develop their digital skills and enhance their confidence in using digital technology. The Ministry also plans to organize a conference on the European Year of Skills in September; European Commission officials’ participation is expected.

Overall, the launch of the 2023 European Year of Skills in Nicosia marked the beginning of an extensive campaign aimed at equipping individuals with the skills needed for quality employment and supporting businesses in addressing skills shortages. With a comprehensive action plan in place and a strong emphasis on collaboration, this initiative seeks to foster lifelong learning, contribute to the green and digital transition, and empower citizens and businesses across Europe.