The Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) participated as a partner in the European project Apphelp4SMEs, creating within the framework of the project the Apprenticeship Service for SMEs at all the intermediary organizations (Limassol and Paphos Chamber and POVEK) with the aim to provide guidance and support to SMEs in Cyprus. The Service has well- trained apprenticeship facilitators ready to offer immediate assistance to businesses wishing to hire apprentices. Printed information material was created and circulated to businesses and also a web-based toolkit with information and tools for businesses is also available online.
In addition to the establishment of the Service, during the two years that LCCI participated in this project, it has successfully co-operated with the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as the Apprenticeship Inspectors in Limassol, creating quality job positions and placing a large number of apprentices in member firms of the intermediary bodies. An important addition to the know-how and experience gained by LCCI through this program is the close collaboration with the partners in the United Kingdom, AELP - Vocational Education and Training Organization, where the UK has been running a successful apprenticeship system and recent reforms will improve it even more. HB's experience has also shown that employers' involvement and contribution to the design of apprenticeship patterns increases the number of companies taking part in apprenticeships and job offerings.
Following the successful completion of the Apphelp4SMEs project, the LCCI provides business support through the continuation of the Apprenticeship Service at the Chamber offices and continues to work with Labor Inspectors to find employers and place apprentices in business. It is also expected that necessary upgrades/changes made and expected to be made by the Ministry of Education along with the continuation and upgrading of the cooperation between employers and the Ministry, the Apprenticeship System is expected to become a good alternative choice for young people rather than a "second chance".
