In an effort to bridge the labor market gap, the Cypriot government and private sector have united to introduce the "ICT Re-Up Skilling" program. This initiative is designed to retrain unemployed individuals or those with science and economics degrees, enabling them to enter the IT field, particularly data analytics, where demand is high.

The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, along with the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the Office of the Commissioner of Communications, and the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA), unveiled the program.

Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou emphasized the importance of continually enhancing skills, especially in Information and Communications Technology. He addressed Cyprus' unemployment rate, which stood slightly over 6% in 2023, noting the country's economic growth has outpaced its demographic support capacity. Panayiotou highlighted the need to recruit workers from other EU member states and third countries to meet Cyprus' labor demands. He expressed optimism that through effective collaboration between the state and employer organizations, the program presented could significantly reduce unemployment.

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, remarked, "Digital skills are essential for quality jobs and attractive salaries." He viewed the "ICT Re-UP Skilling" program as a stepping stone to a broader range of educational programs aimed at upskilling and reskilling.

George Michaelides, Commissioner of Communications, stressed the necessity for skilled human resources in ICT, especially in cybersecurity, where there is a notable skills gap. He pointed out the EU's projected shortage of about 350,000 cybersecurity roles and the challenges organizations face in retaining specialized staff.

Michaelides also mentioned the Digital Security Authority, established in 2018 with about 40 technical staff in cybersecurity. Notably, 32 people have left the office since its inception.

Demetris Nisiotis, President of CITEA, spoke of the severe staffing difficulties IT companies are encountering. Despite the urgent demand, the available human resources and new labor market entrants are insufficient. According to the 2023 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), IT professionals in Cyprus accounted for only 3.9% in 2022, lower than the EU average of 4.5%. Additionally, the proportion of IT students in Cyprus was 2.7% compared to the EU average of 3.9%.

"These figures indicate an urgent need for a substantial increase in IT specialists to support the economy and society," Nisiotis stated, acknowledging that while these measures are long-term and results will manifest over the years, there is a pressing need for short-term solutions.

Neofytos Papadopoulos, Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, outlined the program's stages. An information day is scheduled for February 2, with applications due by February 16. The evaluation and interviews process will conclude by March 8, aiming to select up to 15 candidates.

Papadopoulos specified that priority will be given to the unemployed. The program, commencing on March 18, will offer 10 weeks of training in data analytics and Power BI, followed by exams and certifications.