Vocational training and lifelong learning are a key tool to meet the needs of the labour market, especially in rapidly changing sectors, such as the automotive industry, said the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Marinos Mousiouttas.
In his address at the graduation and award ceremony of the AMEC Automotive & Motorsport Engineering Center, Mr. Mousiouttas stressed that the transition to electric mobility creates new challenges, but also significant employment opportunities.
According to an announcement by the Ministry of Labour, the Minister congratulated the graduates of the Master Technicians – Special Diagnosticians, City and Guilds Level 4 Hybrid and Electric Vehicles programs, as well as the Level 4 Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technicians of the Professional Qualifications System of the HRDA.
He also congratulated the students of the City and Guilds Level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair program, who were awarded and received scholarships.
Mr. Mousiouttas said that electric and hybrid vehicles, high-voltage systems and advanced safety technologies now require trained and certified professionals.
As he noted, the training, evaluation and certification of electric and hybrid vehicle technicians are a decisive step for the safety and health of workers, consumer protection, quality of service and the formation of professional standards in the industry.
He made special reference to the fact that AMEC is the first Professional Qualifications Assessment Centre in Cyprus to complete the assessments for the Professional Qualification Standard "Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technician".
This development, he said, is linked to the Ministry's priorities for upgrading human resources, enhancing employability and better linking training with the real needs of the labour market.
Referring to the role of the HRDA and the Professional Qualifications System, the Minister noted that it is key for the recognition and certification of skills, as it enhances both the professional prospects of employees and the competitiveness of the sector.
Addressing the graduates, Mr. Mousiouttas said that the title they receive is an asset for a career with challenges, learning and continuous development. He underlined, at the same time, that behind every task they will undertake is "the trust of a person and, often, his own security".
In closing, he once again congratulated the graduates, the award-winning students, the management and the trainers of AMEC, calling on young people, employees and businesses to constantly invest in knowledge and upgrading their skills, as this is, as he said, "the best investment for the future".
