Emphasys Centre: Centre for Education, ICT Training and Research

‘Emphasys Centre’ was established in 1998 and is operating as a highly successful ‘Education, ICT Training (VET) and Research Centre, approved by the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MOECYS).

ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANISATION

Emphasys comprises of four main directorates:

A) EDUCATION DIRECTORATE which offers:

(1) Validated and certified IT courses accredited by national and EU examination boards (ECDL – EQF Level 3-4), the MOECYS (Pancyprian IT exams – EQF Level 5), Cambridge University (GCE A Level Computer Science) etc.

(2) Career guidance and counseling services to young people and students, as well as counseling and special support to all learners according to their needs (Early School Leavers, Young unemployed people, Special Educational Needs, etc.).

(3) Organisation of seminars, presentation, discussions for various issues of concern of our target groups, i.e. Seminar on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Learning, Senior Citizens and Youth: Links and prospects, Internet Security, Careers Orientation, etc.

B) ICT TRAINING DIRECTORATE which is active both at the national/regional and EU level through the various training courses/ seminars/ summer schools/ mobilities/ labs etc. offered to different target groups such as adults, teachers, students/ young people, as well as professionals.

As part of the ICT Directorate, two sub-units are established:

(1) The STEAM UNIT offers project-driven related courses to young people combining Robotics, 3D Design and Printing using the Craftbot+ 3D Printer, and Coding through Video Game design using state of the art Virtual Reality Headsets such as the Oculus Rift S guided with ‘Lego Education Trainer’ instructors.

(2) The ONE STOP DIGITAL SUPPORT CENTRE offers targeted seminars, experts’ visits and tutorials, career advisors’ presentations etc. are organized aiming to upgrade their skills for the digitalized economy and the labour market. A wide selection of tools and platforms is available for people to use.

(3) European KA1 Training UNIT which focuses in various fields such as ‘Coding and Robotics for Educators’, ‘Technology Tools in the classroom’ for Teachers, Adult Educators, Young People, Youth Workers, VET trainers etc.

C) RESEARCH DIRECTORATE which cooperates closely with several organisations for the preparation, implementation and management of various EU projects in different programmes, such as the Erasmus+ in the field of Education, VET, Sports and youth, AMIF, Justice and other national programmes. It also:
- Provides consultancy services for the preparation of proposals especially for the Erasmus+ programme in all sectors and types (from KA1 to KA3).
- Provides support and guidance for the management of EU projects to schools and NGOs.
- Has a strong network of organization at the local, regional and national level for the promotion of EU project and initiatives.
- Designs and promotes dissemination strategies for the results of various EU projects for further exploitation valorization.
- Promotes the design, pilot-testing and implementation of innovative e- tools that enhance quality teaching and learning.
- Takes up initiatives to promote the value and importance of the recognition and validation of key competences and skills gained in non-formal learning activities.
- Supports the quality provision of lifelong learning opportunities for all: young children youth, adults and seniors.

*Emphasys participates in the DLEARN Digital Learning Network, a highly active network promoting digital literacy and acquisition, with other 25 organisations from Europe.

D) SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE which is involved in the design, development, pilot-testing and evaluation of various e-learning tools, platforms, websites, applications and assessment portals etc.

ACCREDITATIONS

The «Emphasys Centre» is approved by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture as an Educational and Vocational Centre specializing in the field of ICT and by the Cyprus Human Resource Authority.

The «Emphasys Centre» is authorized by the ECDL Foundation and the Council of Europe Information Scientists (CEPIS) to offer speciliased training courses for the acquisition of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), whereas its staff is ECDL Certified Training Professionals. The «Emphasys Centre» functions also as an Examination Centre and is in close cooperation with the Cyprus Computer Society, the organization responsible for the managing of the ECDL programme.

VISION AND AIMS

The main aim of our organisation is to offer non-formal opportunities for young people to acquire employability, entrepreneurship and digital skills to support their transition from school to the world of work thus achieving a better skills match and career orientation.

TARGET GROUPS

Based on the focus of our organisation our target groups are:

- Young people (students and young people aged 10 – 30, Early School Leavers and NEETs),
- Higher Education (Students and professors)
- Adults (parents, unemployed, low-skilled, retired and senior citizens)
- Professionals (youth workers, educators and teachers of all sectors of education, companies, businesses etc.)

The “Emphasys Centre” is currently involved in various European projects( LLP, Erasmus+) which have been written by our organization, such as:

*DIGITALROUTES@CULTURE - Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Sector - Promoting Social Entrepreneurial Competencies Based on the Digitalization of Cultural Heritage for a Sustainable Future.

*DIGITAL@YOUTHWORK - Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Sector - Upgrading Digital Youth Work: An Innovative Programme to Equip
Young People with Advanced Digital Skills to Meet the Needs of the Labour Market.

*DICIPASS4YOUTH - Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Sector - European Digital Citizenship Pass for Youth Empowerment and Participation.

*CONNECTEDLEARNING@YW - Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Sector - Promoting Quality Digital Youth Work through the creation-mapping of Connected Learning Routes in Europe: An innovative way to reach out to marginalised Young People.

* STOP -Erasmus+ Youth Sector - Stop child abuse ThrOugh effective training and augmented reality

* CODESKILLS4ROBOTICS - Erasmus+ KA2 School Sector –Promoting coding and STEM skills through robotics: Supporting primary schools to develop inclusive digital strategies for all.

*DIMELI4ACD - Erasmus+ KA2 School Sector –Digital and media literacy for active citizenship: a tool kit for promoting critical thinking and democratic values.

* MeLDE - Erasmus+ KA2 School Sector – Media Literacy in the Digitalised Era: supporting teachers through a whole-school approach.

*Eskills4ALL - Erasmus+ KA2 Adult Education – A digital skills tool kit for low skilled adults focusing on women re-entering the labour market.

*BOOST4YOUTH - Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Sector- online Business and e-cOmmerce cOaching for increasing entrepreneurShip among youth.

* EnSoEd - Erasmus+ KA2 School Sector Innovative teacher training social entrepreneurship.

The “Emphasys Centre” is also actively involved in the Erasmus+ Key Action 1 – Learning Mobility for Individuals by offering a wide selection of courses for personal and professional development in the area of ICT for educators (Technology Tools, Social Media and Webpage Design), as well as other courses in Health Education (Conflict Resolution, Intervention Analysis, Sexual Awareness and Disability), Special Education (Training Children with Learning Difficulties) and Teacher Education. (https://emphasyscentre.com/ict-training/european-courses/#courses). Special courses for Youth are also offered.

Within the Erasmus+ 2020 Call our organization is interested to investigate the following areas in the school, VET and adult education sector, as well as Youth:

-Empowering young people especially NEET with digital, employability and entrepreneurial skills.
-Promoting the Validation of non-formal and informal learning to fight Early School Leaving
-Upgrading the profile of Youth Workers
-Acquiring Key Competences for young people to fight unemployment and address the issues of skills gap/ mismatch
- Promoting Green Skills: "technical skills, knowledge, values and attitudes needed to develop and support sustainable social, economic and environmental outcomes for the community".
-Promoting and upgrading VET through Work-Based Learning
-Active Ageing and Inter-generational learning – upgrading the provision of LLL opportunities for adults
-Active Citizenship in schools: fighting racism, bullying, nationalism, promoting equality, respect, tolerance, democracy

Website: www.emphasyscentre.com
https://emphasyscentre.com/ict-training/european-courses/#courses
Facebook: emphasyscentre
www.facebook.com/emphasyscentre