ReportCompetence Framework_DEF_19.06.2018

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. [Project Number: 2017-1-SK01-KA204-035385] Furthermore, the Human Resource Development Authority Cyprus offers actively lifelong training opportunities for individuals, employees, employers and businesses including those considered to be at risk such as new entrants to the labour market, long-term unemployed, low skills, and older workers (Sultana, 2017). Regarding the Cyprus Youth Board (ONEK), it mostly cooperates with local youth organisations and provides counselling and information to people up to the age of 35 years old, though private sessions that are provided in their offices in Cyprus (Euroguidance, 2016). Guidance is also given through the “Youth Information Centers” (KEPLI) which are provided by the National Youth Organisation. Counselling services, support, advices, and other relevant information are provided by these Centres to youngsters, couples, and families (Euroguidance, nd). While the above services are supported by the state, and are freely available to the public, a range of private and parastatal providers are also active in Cyprus, whether based in private universities, private employment services, or elsewhere (Sultana, 2017). Furthermore, youngsters can have access to counselling and career guidance services for personal and Educational purposes in tertiary level institutions, such as private colleges and universities (Sultana, 2017). For example, the University of Cyprus offers a number of courses on different subjects such as courses from the Scientific Training and Evaluation Center, greek language courses, english programs for specialized needs, russian for adults and businessmen, turkish courses for adults with specialized needs and courses for professional translation of documents to Russian-English. Additionally, the Open University Cyprus offers several independent thematic modules in the context of promoting lifelong learning education, while the Cyprus University of Technology offers greek Language Courses in the Language Center of the Cyprus University of Technology (Enoros Consulting, 2013). 2.4.3. UNITED KINGDOM List of academic studies on career guidance for low skilled adults: • Cedefop (2016) “Improving career prospects for the low-educated: the role of guidance and lifelong learning.” Interviews made across the EU by the Cedefop (p. 18) shows that “continuing education is perceived as retraining for unemployed people” but also that low-skill adults still have a positive opinion of life-long learning. Life-long learning is “potentially playing a role in their career development” in the following three ways: - Acting as a “recognised pathway for continuing vocational development”, such as retraining for unemployed, eventually ending on more stable employment status; - Helping with basic skill development for the less literate; - Facilitating change in career choices of those wanting to change working areas.