The Skills Required for a Cypriot as a European Citizen

: The Role of Education

Abstract

This thesis is concerned to examine the prospects for the development of a high skills economy in Cyprus. Cyprus as a new member in European Union, has to follow different routes guided by Brussels commission.

The major research question is what does the experience of Cypriot policy and practice tell us about the theories of skill formation?

The thesis examines the relationships between education, skill formation and economic development in Cyprus. Its intention is to open a much needed debate on the subject of High Skills formation view as Cypriot education is on the way for major reform. The big question is trying to be answered in my thesis is in what ways the education has to be changed to allow for the learning and development of these skills.

My suggestion is to invest in education (especially the vocational education) as well the training policies. The study is a literature study based on existing material on skill formation policies. The literature reviewed comes from primary and secondary sources, such as existing reports, the Internet and policy documents of published and unpublished material.

Brown and Lauder (2001) argue that acquisition of high skill does not remain the property of the privileged minority. However, more recently questions have been raised about the global demand for high skill work and whether the opportunity for developing such work in Cyprus is now a possibility, given the rise of high skill low waged workers in countries such as India and China.

Through the thesis development is obtained that Cyprus has not been able to address issues of skill formation. This is because:

1. The role of education in Cyprus has been intimately linked to its history, especially a history that has stressed nationalism.

2. The strongly academic influence of Greece.

3. The unpredictable nature of demand for skilled labour in a small island economy.

4. Tourism is mainly low skill but because it demands face to face interaction it is sheltered from the Global Auction.

5. The failure of policy attempts to develop closer links between education, including vocational education and the labour market. All these policies, the last 35 years have failed irrespective of the political parties were in power and their ideology.

However, high skills policy and the entrance in European Union as well are not panacea. They are not the magic medicines for economic development and prosperity.

The thesis suggests some useful steps towards a more effective model of skills formation for Cyprus. In order to achieve this task, political commitment is a requirement. Also the policy makers in Cyprus have to consider the international situation regarding skills of the future and they give a clear signal and role for all the local ‘players’. The junction points are the economic crisis as well the discovery of gas which could change the demand for skilled workers. The question is whether the Cypriot vocational education system could respond appropriately and flexibly as there are many external forces acting as constraints on such a small economy…

Date of Award	30 Jul 2012
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Hugh Lauder (Supervisor)