Dr George Horattas, Senior Productivity Officer at the Cyprus Productivity Centre, emphasised the enduring importance of technical professions amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at INSPIRE 2026’s ‘Future of Work’ Stage, Horattas argued that practical occupations are particularly resilient to technological disruption.
“Technical professions will never disappear; they will only be transformed,” he said, explaining that artificial intelligence may suggest solutions but cannot independently perform many physical tasks.
Highlighting labour shortages, Horattas noted the difficulty employers face in recruiting electricians, plumbers and refrigeration technicians.
“It is important to encourage young people towards technical professions,” he stressed.
However, he warned that qualifications alone are insufficient to guarantee long-term employability.
“Anyone who stops learning will automatically fall behind,” he said, pointing to the automotive industry, where mechanics increasingly require knowledge of electronics, hybrid technologies and electric vehicles.
Horattas also highlighted initiatives supporting vocational skills, including national skills competitions and digital training programmes for older citizens.
Discussing education, he acknowledged the importance of degrees while stressing employers' growing emphasis on demonstrated practical abilities.
He encouraged young people and parents to reconsider technical education, arguing that vocational careers offer substantial opportunities for future professional development.
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