Only 17.9% of secondary school students in Cyprus are enrolled in vocational education programmes, compared with an EU average of 52.4%, according to the latest European Commission figures, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said in an address at the opening ceremony of the 9th National Skills Competition, SkillsCyprus 2026, on Thursday at the State Fair in Nicosia. The address was delivered on his behalf by Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Moushouttas.