Keep young people in the wine-producing villages. This is the goal of the changes to come into effect from September at the Omodos secondary school, with the addition of technical and vocational education courses in fields such as wine making and cheese making. Both sectors have deep historical roots in the area by Education Minister Costas Hampiaouris noted, the programs will work in partnership with local authorities, local businessmen, aiming to "keep young people in the countryside, but also to link school education to the labor market. "
Ministry of Education Director in Charge of Technical/ Vocational Training Elias Markatzis told Entrepreneurial Limassol that school-age children of the region will be immediately informed, adding that "the idea is that education should be offered as close as possible to the area of residence of children in remote regions’'. He noted, moreover, that local small industries will be utilized so that students can do the practical part of their lessons there, stressing that programs are tailored to the needs of local communities such as dairy, cheese making, winemaking, beekeeping and other sectors, which do not exist today.
"We are ready to modify existing specializations or create new ones," he said, "to offer what the local people need in order to be able to develop their area." "And that," he added, "is a great innovation, something that has not happened again in Cyprus". Finally, Elias Markatzis expressed certainty about the interest that will be shown, given the long drawn out occupation of these areas in cheese-making and winemaking. Omodos community council president Evgenios Michael spoke of historic decision indicating that not just Omodos itself, but some 25 communities in total stand to benefit from the programs. "A Technical School is something that was missing from the area," he said, adding that it would contribute greatly towards the further development of the entire region.
