An Action Plan under the name "Modern Professional Development for Green and Digital Transition" was approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, within the framework of the European Year of Skills.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Labour, Yiannis Panagiotou, said the goal is to promote green and digital skills, as well as quality and safety in the workplace. The action plan, he said, is based on promoting a modern professional culture, specialization and certification, and socially targeted vocational training.

"During the next year, tens of thousands of participants will take part in the learning activities included in the action plan, with a total number of 100,000. Existing resources from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, amounting to 15 million euros, will be utilized, as well as additional resources amount to three million euros, he said.

The Action Plan will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Minister of Research and the Commissioner for the Environment "as the focus of economic development is on the people whom we will equip with all the necessary skills, which in the modern world must be green and digital".

Minister of Education, Athena Michaelidou, said that the plan includes activities and policies related to young people and the educational system of the country, as well as European ones.

Within the Plan, she said, there are actions in the educational system that will contribute to the goal of transitioning from a more outdated and less skills-focused system to a system that allows students and young people to showcase their skills, abilities, and talents.

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Philipos Hadjizacharias, said the purpose of the plan is the development and continuous upgrade of digital skills in all population groups and at all levels, including vulnerable groups and remote geographical areas.

Commissioner for the Environment, Maria Panagiotou, said that in this era it is crucial to understand that environmental protection should not be just an additional issue in our daily lives, but a horizontal aspect in every action and choice we make. We must incorporate the environmental impact into all our activities and ensure that our decisions take into account the environmental consequences, she added.