ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CYPRUS REFERNET CONSORTIUM

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CYPRUS REFERNET CONSORTIUM JULY 2006

2 Prepared by Ms Maria Petridou, Human Resource Officer Coordination Mr Yiannis Mourouzides, Senior Human Resource Officer Overall responsibility Dr George Oxinos, Research and Planning Director Acknowledgements The Human Resource Development Authority, as the National Coordinator of the Cyprus ReferNet Consortium, wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Consortium members: Ministries / Government Departments: Planning Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, Ministry of Education and Culture, Statistical Service, Cyprus Academy of Public Administration, Pedagogical Institute, Cyprus Productivity Centre. Social Partners: Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cyprus Workers Confederation, Pancyprian Federation of Labour, Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus, Cyprus Union of Bank Employees. Other Non-Profit Making Organisations: University of Cyprus, Cyprus Institute of Technology, Research Promotion Foundation. National Units for European Programmes: Leonardo da Vinci National Agency, Socrates National Coordination Unit, National Eurydice Unit. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Human Resource Development Authority: 2 Anavissou Str., Strovolos, P.O. Box 25431, CY-1392 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel: , Fax: hrda@hrdauth.org.cy, Website: Refernet Cyprus: Tel: , Fax: refernet@hrdauth.org.cy, Website: ii

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. MAIN OUTCOMES AND DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED DURING THE CONTRACTUAL PERIOD BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION BODY DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL CONSORTIUM AND MEMBERS OVERVIEW OF DOCUMENTARY AND DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES Developing the VET-Bib bibliographical database, VET-eLib and VET-iR Updating of the database on key vocational training organisations VET-Instit OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ON VET SYSTEMS AND DEVELOPMENTS Description of Member States systems (Thematic Overview) Detailed reports on and analysis of specific themes Cedefop Info Information on developments and new initiatives (DGVT reports) OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES Maintain ERO Base at national level ERO National Research Report Promoting research SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES CONCLUDING REMARKS... 7 iii

4 European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training ReferNet Annual Report Country: Cyprus Period covered: 20/06/ /06/2006 Author of the report: Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus 1. MAIN OUTCOMES AND DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED DURING THE CONTRACTUAL PERIOD The activities required by Cedefop were completed in their entirety by the Cyprus ReferNet Consortium during the period The outcomes are described below whereas the problems and difficulties encountered were dealt with in a satisfactory way. 2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION BODY Briefly describe the National co-ordination body s main activities, departments, and people responsible for work in relation to the network's activities. The national consortium coordinating body is the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA). The HRDA is a semi-government organisation governed by a 13- member Board of Governors, comprised of 5 Government, 4 Employer and 4 Trade Union representatives. The HRDA is funded by the Human Resource Development Levy, paid by all enterprises and semi-government organisations and corresponding to 0,5% of their total payroll. The government and the self-employed are exempted from this obligation and thus are excluded from the HRDA s sphere of competence. The mission of the HRDA is the creation of the necessary prerequisites for the planned and systematic training and development of Cyprus human resources, at all levels and in all sectors, for meeting the economy s needs, within the overall national socio-economic policies. The HRDA has two major strategic objectives: The upgrading of the country s human resources through appropriate training and development in order to increase their employability throughout the European Union. The strengthening of the competitiveness of Cypriot enterprises through the better utilisation and the upgrading of the adaptability potential of their human capital. 1

5 The HRDA has four Directorates: Research & Planning, Training, Administration & Personnel, and Financial Services. The Research & Planning Directorate is responsible for the work relating to the ReferNet s activities. The following members of the staff were actively involved in this work: Dr George Oxinos, Research and Planning Director. Mr Yiannis Mourouzides, Senior Human Resource Officer. Ms Yianna Korelli, Human Resource Officer. Ms Maria Petridou, Human Resource Officer. 3. DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL CONSORTIUM AND MEMBERS Please list the members of the national consortium, including contact details, their experience and knowledge in relation to the network s activities. 1. MINISTRIES / GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS i. Planning Bureau [Mr Alexandros Alexandrou, alexandros.alexandrou@planning.gov.cy] ii. iii. iv. Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance [Mr Antonis Kafouros, akafouros@dl.mlsi.gov.cy] Ministry of Education and Culture [Mr Elias Margadjis, marga@cyearn.pi.ac.cy] Statistical Service [Mr Alecos Agathangelou, alagathangelou@cystat.mof.gov.cy] v. Cyprus Academy of Public Administration [Ms Eleni Gereoudakis, egereoudakis@capa.mof.gov.cy] vi. vii. Pedagogical Institute [Mr Andreas Eleftheriou, a_elef@yahoo.com] Cyprus Productivity Centre [Mr Nikos Philippou, nphilippou@kepa.mlsi.gov.cy] 2. SOCIAL PARTNERS: EMPLOYER AND TRADE UNION ORGANISATIONS i. Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation [Mr Petros Petrou, ppetrou@oeb-eif.org] ii. iii. Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry [Mr Leonidas Paschalides, leonidap@ccci.org.cy] Cyprus Workers Confederation [Mr Nikos Nikolaou, nikos.nikolaou@sek.org.cy] 2

6 iv. Pancyprian Federation of Labour [Mr Pieris Pieri, v. Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus [Mr Alekos Tringides, vi. Cyprus Union of Bank Employees [Mr Mimis Theodotou, 3. OTHER ORGANISATIONS / NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS i. University of Cyprus [Ms Emma Zeniou, emmaz@ucy.ac.cy] ii. iii. Cyprus Institute of Technology [Mr Antonis Antoniou, atantoni@industry.cy.net] Research Promotion Foundation [Mr Marios Demetriades, mdemetriades@research.org.cy] 4. NATIONAL AGENCIES / UNITS FOR MANAGING EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES / INITIATIVES i. Leonardo da Vinci National Agency [Ms Maria Pieridou, ldvcy@cytatnet.com.cy] ii. iii. Socrates National Coordination Unit [Ms Androula Papanastasiou, apapanastasiou@moec.gov.cy] National Eurydice Unit [Ms Koula Afrodisi, minedu@cytanet.com.cy] 4. OVERVIEW OF DOCUMENTARY AND DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES The Cyprus ReferNet Consortium contributed to the documentary and dissemination activities in several ways. Amongst these the most prominent were the following: 1. Submission of 40 indexations in the VET-Bib database. 2. Contribution towards the discussions about the role and content of the VET- Instit database and submission of 20 indexations. 3. Promotion of Cedefop / ReferNet and ReferNet Cyprus at the International Education Fair in Cyprus. 4. Presentation of the role, status, activities and achievements of ReferNet and the Cyprus ReferNet Consortium during the annual meeting of the HRDA with representatives of the collaborating training institutions in Cyprus. 5. Redesign and continuous updating of the ReferNet Cyprus website. 3

7 6. Provision of information to the consortium members and other VET / HRD stakeholders, including 240 training institutions and consulting firms, about ReferNet activities. 7. Updating the special section in the National Coordinator s library for Cedefop publications. 4.1 Developing the VET-Bib 1 bibliographical database, VET-eLib 2 and VET-iR 3 HRDA contributed to the development and maintenance of Cedefop s bibliographical database with a total of 40 indexations. A copy of each of the indexed documents was sent to Cedefop s library. 4.2 Updating of the database on key vocational training organisations VET-Instit The HRDA has been following and contributed to the discussions about the role and content of VET-Instit database. The VET-Instit database has been updated with 20 indexations and it now contains 24 Cypriot entries emanating by default from the ERO Base. 5. OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ON VET SYSTEMS AND DEVELOPMENTS The Cyprus ReferNet Consortium prepared the 2 nd version of the report The Vocational Education and Training System of Cyprus: A Thematic Overview and the detailed thematic reports Initial Vocational Education and Training, Continuing Vocational Education and Training and Training VET Teachers and Trainers. A copy of the reports was sent to the members of the consortium as well as to the 240 training institutions and consulting firms collaborating with HRDA. All three detailed thematic reports were also translated into the Greek language. HRDA has also contributed to the Cedefop Info with the submission of 7 articles as well as to the DGVT Report. 5.1 Descriptions of Member States' systems (Thematic Overview) The 2 nd version of the report The Vocational Education and Training System of Cyprus: A Thematic Overview was drafted and reviewed in consultation with the consortium partners. It was submitted on 21 st February 2006 to Cedefop. On 15 th May 2006 Cedefop provided comments to HRDA for minor adjustments, and the revised document was resubmitted to Cedefop on 26 th May A copy was sent to all the consortium members as well as to 240 training institutions and consulting firms collaborating with HRDA. 1 VET-Bib: Vocational Education and Training Bibliographical database 2 VET-eLib: Vocational Education and Training electronic Library 3 VET-iR: Vocational Education and Training internet Resources database 4

8 The report has been made available in the ReferNet Cyprus website and the HRDA website. 5.2 Detailed reports on and analysis of specific themes Themes 1 Theme 4: Initial Vocational Education and Training 2 Theme 5: Continuing Vocational Education and Training 3 Theme 6: Training VET Teachers and Trainers Submitted to Cedefop Cedefop s Comments Revised version sent to Cedefop 24/03/ /06/ /07/ /12/ /03/2006 3/05/2006 8/12/ /01/ /02/2006 The reports shown in the Table above were prepared and reviewed in consultation with the consortium partners. A copy of these reports was sent to all the consortium members as well as to 240 training institutions and consulting firms collaborating with HRDA. All three detailed thematic reports were also translated into the Greek language. The reports, both in English and in Greek, have been made available in the ReferNet Cyprus website and the HRDA website. 5.3 Cedefop Info The contribution of the Cyprus ReferNet to the Cedefop Info was the following: a. Issue 2/2005: Education reform widely debated. b. Issue 3/2005: Employment forecast studies cover wide spectrum. c. Issue 1/2006: On the road to achieving Lisbon goals. Launching Europass. Workshop on Skills Forecasting. Presenting ReferNet in Cyprus. d. Issue 2/2006: Highlights of Education and Training Priorities in the National Lisbon Programme for Cyprus. Almost all the above contributions were published in Cedefop Info in the above mentioned issues except for the issue 2/2006 which has not been published yet. 5.4 Information on developments and new initiatives (DGVT reports) The contribution of the Cyprus ReferNet towards the preparation of the DGVT Report for the period of July 2005 to March 2006 was submitted to Cedefop on 30 th 5

9 January Most of that information was included in the DGVT Report prepared by Cedefop. 6. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES Collection of information about VET / HRD research culminated in the submission of 40 new entries to the ERO Base. The ERO National Research Report was submitted to Cedefop on 30 th March 2006 and a hard copy of the report was sent to all the consortium members on 5 th May Maintain ERO Base at national level Information about research activities during 2005 was collected and submitted to the ERO Base. In the Project Base 14 new projects were submitted, in the Paper Base 4 new papers were submitted and in the Directory of Experts 22 new experts were submitted. 6.2 ERO National Research Report The ERO National Research Report was finalised in cooperation with the consortium members and other institutions and organisations involved in VET / HRD research and was submitted to Cedefop on 20 th March On 23 rd March 2006 Cedefop provided comments to HRDA for minor amendments and the revised document was submitted back to Cedefop on 30 th March Promoting research HRDA is ready to assist Cedefop in the promotion of research if and when required. 7. SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES A consortium meeting was held on 27th July The aim of the meeting was to present the work of the Cyprus ReferNet Consortium for , to discuss the work plan for the period and to review the cooperation between the National Coordinator of Cyprus (HRDA) and the Members of the Consortium. The HRDA participated both in the annual plenary meeting in May 2005 and in the technical meeting in October 2005 of ReferNet in Thessaloniki. It also participated in the first regional meeting of Southern Europe countries in Paris in June On 20 th September 2005 HRDA accepted the proposal to complete a web-based questionnaire on elearning within the education and training systems of Cyprus for Cedefop within the framework of the Helios project. The questionnaire was prepared 6

10 with the contribution of the consortium partners and was submitted on 17 th November CONCLUDING REMARKS The Cyprus ReferNet Consortium performed satisfactorily in all of the activities required by Cedefop. All of the required reports have been completed and submitted. The redesign of the Cyprus ReferNet website will help further in the promotion of the ReferNet in general and in the dissemination of information on vocational education and training. The consortium members and other VET / HRD stakeholders, including the 240 training institutions and consulting firms collaborating with the HRDA, are kept informed about the new developments concerning VET matters on a constant basis. The Cyprus ReferNet Coordinator would like to acknowledge Cedefop s continuous and valuable support, which has made the work of the National Coordinator easier. 7