Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth

The Department of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth is responsible for the design, supervision and coordination of all the educational and administrative issues related to public initial, continuing and higher vocational education and training (VET) in Cyprus, including

• the organisation, administration and supervision of the operation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) schools, which offer initial, continuing and higher technical and vocational education and training programmes;
• the planning, coordination and supervision of inspectors of secondary TVET, as well as the supervision, guidance and evaluation of secondary TVET teachers and trainers;
• the organisation of educational conferences and training courses for secondary TVET teachers and trainers; and guidance on issues related to public TVET;
• curricula development;
• National exam paper preparation;
• Act as the National Coordination Point for the development of the Cyprus national qualifications framework (NQF), and are also involved in the implementation of the EU directives regarding the European Network for Quality Assurance for VET (EQAVET).

VET programmes we offer:

1. Upper secondary technical and vocational education (morning classes) are offered in two tracks - theoretical and practical. The duration of studies is three years for each track.
2. Evening schools of technical and vocational education (Second Chance Schools) support the integration of school leavers in the workplace and in society and lead to the acquisition of a leaving certificate (apolyterion), equivalent to that awarded by mainstream TVET schools (upper secondary technical and vocational education schools) and upper secondary general education schools.
3. The apprenticeship system of VET addresses the ages 14 -21, at two apprenticeship levels - preparatory and core. Participation is not compulsory and is free of charge. It is designed for two student groups: (a) those who have not completed compulsory education, who enrol at the can preparatory apprenticeship level – (these do not involve employment and are offered as an alternative form of education and training for this age group and (b) students who have either successfully completed compulsory education or a preparatory apprenticeship and can enrol at the core apprenticeship level, lasting three years with both training at a TVTE school (2 days a week) and practical training at enterprises (three days a week, for which they are remunerated).
4. Lifelong learning programmes of VET: one-year programmes that lead to a certificate, and three-year programmes that lead to a leaving certificate equivalent to that awarded graduates of upper secondary technical and vocational education - as far as the technical component is concerned. Their objective is to offer continuing education and training to employed or unemployed adults.
5. Post-secondary institutes of vocational education and training (Public school of higher VET): These began in November 2012 and in 2017 their programmes were accredited at level 5 of the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) (first stage of higher education) and the Institutes upgraded to public schools of higher VET. There are four campuses. The institutes are co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Republic of Cyprus.