Learn about the VET system of the host countries which are more advanced in VET than Cyprus. Observing and learning about other successful VET systems provides an opportunity for SDTVET to compare its system with others and this can contribute to its strengthening and improvement. Build up strong contacts and networks for exchanging knowledge and good practices and create future cooperation with other countries Educational Systems. The face-to-face contact that participants will have with their hosting partners will be a good opportunity to build up strong professional relationships for future cooperation. Understand how other VET departments work and how they support and motivate non-teaching and teaching teaching staff. This objective includes observation of the inside procedures and policies of the hosting Departments' and schools on the following, in order to improve the quality of services that the DSTVET offers. Exchange ideas on how to promote VET programmes and improve the image of VET. The main challenge that the DSTVET is facing is the low percentage of students enrolled in VET programmes, due to the fact that they do not have valid knowledge about the perspectives that VET can offer and also due to the prejudice.
The Department of Secondary TVET of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth is responsible for the organization, supervision, and coordination of the educational and administrative issues related to public VET in Cyprus. Its vision is to ensure an integrated, attractive, flexible and high quality VET System that meets the current and future needs of the local and international economic and technological environment. This can be achieved through activities that provide continuous empowerment/development to administrative staff through knowledge gained from international good practices and experiences. The Erasmus+ project gave the opportunity to the Department’s staff to participate in such activities. One group of staff had the chance to gain knowledge from certified learning organizations with expertise in the fields of the Departments’ interests, while the other group had the opportunity, through job-shadowing, to work alongside other European colleagues and see good practices and diverse education systems and cultural environments. Through these activities, the staff had the opportunity for personal development, through enhancing their skills and knowledge. The staff was thus able to bring back fresh ideas and approaches.