Press Conference on the Presentation of the Results of the Second Cycle of CYGraduates Survey

The Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr. Athina Michaelidou, held a press conference on July 7, 2025, to present the results of the second cycle of the National Graduate Tracking Survey (CYGraduates). This survey is conducted as part of the project by the Department of Higher Education titled ” Development of a National Graduate Tracking Mechanism and Design and Implementation of an Employers’ Skills Survey “, which is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Cyprus. The project’s implementation, which is at an advanced stage, has been undertaken by PwC Cyprus following an open tender in the eProcurement System.

The Minister emphasized the importance of systematically collecting and utilizing data to shape a more flexible and effective Higher Education System that responds to labour market needs. Further, the Director of the Department of Higher Education highlighted the role of the surveys conducted by the Department under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The ultimate aim of these surveys is to provide scientific information about the supply of skills from the Higher Education system and the demand for skills in the labour market. This information will serve as the basis for informed decision-making and policy planning to strengthen the link between Higher Education and labour market needs at the national level and to increase the employability of Higher Education graduates.

A presentation of the key findings from the second cycle of the survey followed, which records the professional trajectories of graduates from the academic years 2017/18 (five years after graduation, T+5) and 2021/22 (one year after graduation, T+1) upon completing their studies at Higher Education Institutions in Cyprus. The results document graduates’ experiences regarding Higher Education attendance, transition, and participation in the labour market. Additionally, the results highlight indicators of mismatch between studies and professional employment. Among other points, it was noted:

• High levels of satisfaction from attending Higher Education.
• High employability rates (93% for T+5, 87% for T+1).
• Significant rates of full and stable employment.
• High percentage of mismatch between qualifications and job positions.
• Need for targeted upskilling interventions during graduates’ employment and strengthening the connection between Higher Education and the labour market.

The CYGraduates survey serves as a dynamic mechanism for collecting and analysing data, providing scientific data over time to policy makers and Higher Education Institutions. Specifically, based on the survey results, Higher Education Institutions can revise the content and implementation of existing study programs to ensure graduates possess the knowledge and skills required by the labour market. Additionally, they can proceed with designing new study programs and more flexible program forms (such as micro-credentials). Various policy carriers will have the necessary information to make informed decisions and design policies, such as designing and developing new lifelong learning programs related to reskilling, upskilling, and providing targeted counselling and career guidance.

The ongoing conduct of the survey is a commitment by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth to evidence-based educational policymaking and the enhancement of Higher Education in Cyprus.

The report of results is available on the project’s website: https://skilltracking.highereducation.ac.cy/reports

The Minister’s Speech is available here

The 2nd Cycle Findings are available here