The paradox of the Cypriot labor market—where thousands of young people are earning college degrees while businesses struggle to fill job openings—was highlighted by Theodoros Tziovani, a Senior Officer in the Human Resources Department of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEB). Speaking on the “Alpha Kalimera” program, he explained that the problem is not necessarily that university graduates are overqualified, but rather the mismatch between the qualifications they acquire and the actual needs of the market.
“It’s not exactly a matter of someone being overqualified. The most accurate way to approach the problem is the mismatch between the skills a university graduate acquires and the skills the labor market requires at that particular moment,” he noted. He clarified, however, that not all graduates face the same difficulties, as there are fields of study with particularly high demand. As notable examples, he cited nurses and certain engineering fields, where there are significant staff shortages.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The data he cited regarding education in Cyprus are particularly noteworthy. According to Mr. Tziovanis, approximately 60% of young people aged 25 to 35 in Cyprus are higher education graduates, compared to about 45%, which is the European Union average. In contrast, only one in five young people in Cyprus chooses technical and vocational education, compared to 53% in the EU. As he explained, this disparity highlights the need to better align educational choices with the skills sought by businesses.
In this context, the Senior Official of the OEB emphasized the need to make technical and vocational education more attractive, noting that many technical professions offer substantial career prospects and high salaries. At the same time, he noted that the choice of studies should not be determined solely by market needs, as students are encouraged to balance career prospects with their personal interests and aptitudes.
Referring to the changes taking place in the labor market due to technological advancements, he warned that today’s needs may change significantly in the coming years. “The world of work as it is today may not be the world of work ten years from now,” he said, explaining that some professions are harder to replace than others. He also emphasized that continuing education and retraining are essential for workers, regardless of their age or professional experience. “Skill development does not end with the attainment of a degree. On the contrary, it is just the beginning,” he emphasized.
Finally, he referred to the European MORAL project, in which the OEB participates and which offers opportunities to earn micro-credentials in specific professional skills. These are short online training programs through which interested individuals can enhance their qualifications at no cost. As he explained, companies invest significant amounts in training their staff, seeking people who are eager to learn and grow professionally.
