The Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (Anad) disbursed €11.7 million to businesses in Limassol between the beginning of 2025 and the end of the first half of 2026, highlighting the district’s strong participation in workforce training and employment support programmes.

Limassol Accounts For A Large Share Of Training Activity

According to figures provided by Anad to Entrepreneurial Limassol, the publication of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), the data covers programmes for which payments had already been completed.

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More than 2,625 businesses in Limassol took part in Anad training schemes during the period, representing nearly one-third of the 8,261 participating companies across Cyprus. Participation was particularly strong in multi-company training programmes, with 11,967 participants from Limassol out of 54,754 nationwide.

Another 674 businesses implemented single-company training programmes tailored to their own workforce, while 257 companies benefited from schemes supporting the recruitment of university graduates and the placement of long-term unemployed people.

Skills Demand Continues To Grow

Speaking at a recent Anad event in Limassol, chairman Constantinos Fellas described the city as one of Cyprus’ most dynamic business centres, pointing to continued growth in services, shipping, trade, tourism, financial services and technology. He said the district’s expanding economy is increasing demand for workers with up-to-date skills and stressed the importance of aligning education and training with labour market needs.

Full Employment Brings New Challenges

Anad Director General Pambos Efstratiou said the employment rate among people aged 20 to 64 has reached 81%, while unemployment has fallen to 4%, its lowest level in recent years. Long-term unemployment has dropped to 0.9%, bringing Cyprus close to full employment.

Youth unemployment, however, remains comparatively high at 13.5%, with Anad continuing to support programmes that help young people enter the labour market. Efstratiou also highlighted lifelong learning as a growing priority, noting that only 12% of adults aged 25 to 64 currently participate in education or training programmes.

He said digitalisation, artificial intelligence, demographic change and the green transition are reshaping the labour market, making continuous skills development increasingly important for both employees and businesses. The event also brought together businesses and social partners to discuss future workforce development priorities and training needs in Cyprus.