TOURING LOCAL NETWORKING EVENT IN CYPRUS FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR OF SKILLS Green, Digital, and Safe! Upgrading skills for SMEs

The need for SMEs to make a decisive shift towards upgrading the skills of their staff in the period of rapid transformation, was the main topic of the open discussion in Nicosia, Cyprus organized by the POVEK and Opinion and Action.

The networking event was organized in cooperation with key public stakeholders, namely the Cyprus Productivity Centre (KEPA) and the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry.

It took place on Thursday, 4 April at the POVEK Hall as part of the Touring project and the activities developed in the framework of the European Year of Skills to provide opportunities for citizens and businesses to participate in training programs.

The event was initiated by Stefanos Koursaris, Secretary General of POVEK. Introductory speeches followed by Aristodemos Economides, Director of the Labor Inspection Department, and Maria Nikolaou Christou, Deputy Director of the KEPA.

The “TOURING” program focuses on green and digital skills in tourism. Stakeholders and participants had the opportunity to learn about the progress of the project and especially about the business self-assessment tool. The presentation was made by Evelthon Iakovidis, a member of the Research Institute of POVEK. By the end of the year, the Touring project will be fully developed with online programs and training tools.

Olga Nikolaidou, Labor Inspectorate Officer presented the information campaign conducted by the Labor Inspectorate Department on the digital dimension of health and safety issues.

Zenon Clerides, KEPA Officer, made thematic presentations of two modules of the programs offered by the Productivity Centre: Digital Skills and Safety and Health.

During the discussion among stakeholders, representatives of SMEs expressed their interest in taking advantage of the skills upgrading opportunities of Touring. At the same time, they call upon relevant government departments to encourage businesses and provide incentives for broader participation.

The vast majority of small businesses have not adapted digital and green approaches and recognize the need for a decisive move forward to make Cypriot businesses more resilient and productive.

Contact
POVEK
Tel.: 22 753862
Email: povekcy@cytanet.com.cy

More about the European Skills Year here
More about the TOURING programme here