Purpose

The provision of training programmes to employees in the private, public, and broad public sectors, as well as to the self-employed and the unemployed, in the field of digital skills, aligning with the constantly evolving needs of the labour market.

Key Provisions

• The project aims to help the human resources of Cyprus in acquiring new and upgrading existing digital skills, through their participation in training programmes implemented by Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).

• Natural persons employed in the private, public, and broad public sectors, as well as the self-employed and the unemployed, who consider that participation in the training programme meets their individual training needs, are eligible to participate in the project.

• The VTCs that participate in "mini-tenders" for the implementation of training programmes are selected through a tender procedure for the conclusion of a framework agreement. The framework agreement sets the conditions under which the services for implementing the training programmes will be provided.

• The VTCs that implement the training programmes are selected through public procurement "mini-tenders", for the conclusion of public contracts.  Each tender includes a number of training programmes and consists of simplified tender documents containing all the necessary details of the programmes to be implemented.

• Applications for participation in the training programmes under the Cyprus Recovery and Resilience Plan must be submitted  via the HRDA's "Ermis" digital portal or the HRDA website.

• Those interested in participating in the training programmes must first register as natural persons in the "Ermis" digital portal.

Financial Coverage

All programme costs are covered and participation in the programmes is free of charge. Additionally, allowances are provided to unemployed trainees for their participation in designated training programmes that are exclusively open to unemployed persons.

Cooperation

To inform VTCs and participants, the HRDA issues a Policy and Procedures Guide, which outlines in detail the policies, procedures and eligibility criteria/conditions for approval at each stage of the project's implementation.

The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) announces the continuation of the implementation of the Project “Training Programmes for the Acquisition of Digital Skills” (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”), with national funding, following the completion, on 31 August 2026, of its funding under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021–2026 (RRP).

Recognising the strategic importance of digital skills for the workforce and the significant contribution of the Project to strengthening and promoting the digital transition, the HRDA will continue the implementation of the Project’s existing contracts from 1 September to 31 December 2026, with funding from the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, within the framework of the National Action Plan for Digital Skills, under the same basic terms applicable to each contract, including the 100% subsidy of participation in the training programmes, which continues to cover public sector employees as well.

For more information about the Project and the available training programmes, please visit the following link: Training Programmes for the Acquisition of Digital Skills