Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades
Paulo Estêvão enaltece “integração e tolerância” dos açorianos no arranque do IV Fórum das Migrações
Paulo Estêvão enaltece “integração e tolerância” dos açorianos no arranque do IV Fórum das Migrações
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people
Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people
Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social
New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients
New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Government promotes training courses for Nature Park Guides
Regional Government promotes training courses for Nature Park Guides
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 Paulo Estêvão enaltece “integração e tolerância” dos açorianos no arranque do IV Fórum das Migrações O Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estêvão, presidiu hoje à sessão inaugural do IV Fórum das Migrações, na ilha do Corvo, destacando a profunda raiz migratória do povo açoriano e a “integração e tolerância” para com quem chega às nove ilhas. O evento, que decorre até sexta-feira, estendendo-se também à ilha das Flores, foca-se nos desafios e oportunidades da mobilidade humana, colocando a Região Autónoma dos Açores na vanguarda das políticas de acolhimento na ultraperiferia. Intervindo por via digital a partir de Lisboa, Paulo Estêvão traçou um paralelismo histórico entre as vagas de emigração açoriana para diversos destinos - e a sua importância vital para o desenvolvimento das ilhas - e os atuais fluxos de cidadãos estrangeiros que procuram o arquipélago. Para o Secretário Regional, não há dúvidas: “integração e tolerância” são os valores que melhor “caracterizam os açorianos”. Olhando para a realidade específica da ilha do Corvo, Paulo Estêvão reconheceu o desafio contínuo da diminuição da densidade populacional, mas fez questão de enaltecer o "notável trabalho de integração" dos imigrantes que decidem viver na ilha mais pequena dos Açores. O governante assumiu, com pragmatismo, que existem desafios estruturais a superar, como é o caso do acesso à habitação, identificando-o como um fator que condiciona a fixação quer dos jovens açorianos, quer da população imigrante, reafirmando o compromisso do executivo em trabalhar para inverter esta tendência. Na sua intervenção, o titular da pasta das Comunidades sublinhou ainda a importância crucial da regularização dos estrangeiros residentes no arquipélago. Trata-se de um esforço contínuo do Governo dos Açores que tem sido alavancado pelo trabalho articulado com a AIMA - Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, e com parceiros sociais de excelência no terreno, como a Associação dos Imigrantes nos Açores (AIPA) e a CRESAÇOR. Subordinado ao tema “Migrações na Ultraperiferia Atlântica: Desafios, Oportunidades e Futuro da Mobilidade Humana na Ultraperiferia”, o fórum reúne especialistas, académicos, entidades públicas e organizações da sociedade civil. No encontro marcam presença figuras de relevo nacional e internacional, como Pedro Portugal Gaspar, presidente do Conselho Diretivo da AIMA e Vasco Malta, Chefe de Missão da OIM - Organização Internacional das Migrações em Portugal. O debate é enriquecido com a visão de quem está no terreno, contando com representantes locais do setor político, económico, social e cultural, além de professores, do presidente do Conselho Executivo da Escola Secundária das Flores e de representantes da Câmara Municipal de Santa Cruz. Na sequência das três edições anteriores, realizadas nas ilhas do Faial, Pico, São Miguel e Terceira, entre 2023 e 2025, o IV Fórum das Migrações reafirma o compromisso inabalável do Governo dos Açores em promover o diálogo, a cooperação e a inclusão. O evento consolida, assim, o papel da Região como uma verdadeira ponte de ligação entre comunidades, culturas e territórios, capaz de transformar os desafios do isolamento geográfico em práticas inovadoras e humanistas de acolhimento.
April 8, 2026 Paulo Estêvão enaltece “integração e tolerância” dos açorianos no arranque do IV Fórum das Migrações O Secretário Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades, Paulo Estêvão, presidiu hoje à sessão inaugural do IV Fórum das Migrações, na ilha do Corvo, destacando a profunda raiz migratória do povo açoriano e a “integração e tolerância” para com quem chega às nove ilhas. O evento, que decorre até sexta-feira, estendendo-se também à ilha das Flores, foca-se nos desafios e oportunidades da mobilidade humana, colocando a Região Autónoma dos Açores na vanguarda das políticas de acolhimento na ultraperiferia. Intervindo por via digital a partir de Lisboa, Paulo Estêvão traçou um paralelismo histórico entre as vagas de emigração açoriana para diversos destinos - e a sua importância vital para o desenvolvimento das ilhas - e os atuais fluxos de cidadãos estrangeiros que procuram o arquipélago. Para o Secretário Regional, não há dúvidas: “integração e tolerância” são os valores que melhor “caracterizam os açorianos”. Olhando para a realidade específica da ilha do Corvo, Paulo Estêvão reconheceu o desafio contínuo da diminuição da densidade populacional, mas fez questão de enaltecer o "notável trabalho de integração" dos imigrantes que decidem viver na ilha mais pequena dos Açores. O governante assumiu, com pragmatismo, que existem desafios estruturais a superar, como é o caso do acesso à habitação, identificando-o como um fator que condiciona a fixação quer dos jovens açorianos, quer da população imigrante, reafirmando o compromisso do executivo em trabalhar para inverter esta tendência. Na sua intervenção, o titular da pasta das Comunidades sublinhou ainda a importância crucial da regularização dos estrangeiros residentes no arquipélago. Trata-se de um esforço contínuo do Governo dos Açores que tem sido alavancado pelo trabalho articulado com a AIMA - Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, e com parceiros sociais de excelência no terreno, como a Associação dos Imigrantes nos Açores (AIPA) e a CRESAÇOR. Subordinado ao tema “Migrações na Ultraperiferia Atlântica: Desafios, Oportunidades e Futuro da Mobilidade Humana na Ultraperiferia”, o fórum reúne especialistas, académicos, entidades públicas e organizações da sociedade civil. No encontro marcam presença figuras de relevo nacional e internacional, como Pedro Portugal Gaspar, presidente do Conselho Diretivo da AIMA e Vasco Malta, Chefe de Missão da OIM - Organização Internacional das Migrações em Portugal. O debate é enriquecido com a visão de quem está no terreno, contando com representantes locais do setor político, económico, social e cultural, além de professores, do presidente do Conselho Executivo da Escola Secundária das Flores e de representantes da Câmara Municipal de Santa Cruz. Na sequência das três edições anteriores, realizadas nas ilhas do Faial, Pico, São Miguel e Terceira, entre 2023 e 2025, o IV Fórum das Migrações reafirma o compromisso inabalável do Governo dos Açores em promover o diálogo, a cooperação e a inclusão. O evento consolida, assim, o papel da Região como uma verdadeira ponte de ligação entre comunidades, culturas e territórios, capaz de transformar os desafios do isolamento geográfico em práticas inovadoras e humanistas de acolhimento.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced today that the Regional Government is stepping up its investment in screening and vocational and career guidance for school-aged young people, aligned with the strategic proposal of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Education (ARQP) – Empowering Azoreans – Azores 2030. Maria João Carreiro spoke at the closing session of the “Qualifications 2036” seminar, organised by the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, she highlighted the increased focus on the Vocational and Career Guidance Office (GOVP) – established in 2022 – in supporting school-age young people in the Azores. “With GOVP, screening and vocational and career guidance sessions for school-aged young people will be further stepped up and expanded, encouraging them to draw up an individual career plan – an essential step in preventing these young people from becoming NEETs,” she explained. As the government official announced on Tuesday at a press conference to present the interim results of the ARQP, the NEET rate among young people in the Azores fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whilst the 2025 target set in the ARQP stood at 15%, representing a “very positive development” for the Region. Among other targets, the ARQP sets out the implementation of measures and actions to reduce the NEET rate among young people, through new models of early vocational guidance. “From the early school years, Azorean young people now have access to more coordinated measures from the Regional Directorate for Youth and the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, which provide opportunities for vocational guidance and socio-professional integration,” she emphasised. According to her, GOVP “has been essential” in developing tailored training and employment solutions for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other groups most in need of support, having already conducted 2,415 individual sessions and 420 group sessions with registered jobseekers. Maria João Carreiro also pointed out that public policies for training and employment “are being developed within a context that is profoundly different from that of five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago,” noting that the Region has seen its young population aged between 15 and 34 decrease by more than a quarter, falling from 78,469 to 57,434. “There are fewer young people in the Region’s demographic structure, longer educational pathways and more challenging transitions between education and work,” she noted. In a context where early dropout rates from education and training have fallen sharply compared with the figures of 20 years ago, the Region now has record highs in the number of employed people and record lows in the number of unemployed, she highlighted. According to the Regional Secretary, the Region “has moved from a model heavily reliant on employment schemes and precarious contracts to one increasingly focused on skills development, permanent employment and job quality,” as a response to the cyclical and structural challenges in training and employment that still persist. Since 2021, from the more than 7,200 placements under the hiring support scheme, 4,892 have benefited young people, with 87% on permanent contracts. “The shift in the profile of supported hiring is clear: whilst in 2017 only 1.1% of placements were permanent contracts, this figure reached 100% in 2025,” she concluded. Maria João Carreiro also noted that the initiative promoted by CESA, "Coordinated Public Action in Education and Vocational Training for Vulnerable Groups," underlined the importance of the path the Region has been following since 2021, a process in which the Regional Government relies on CESA’s contribution and participation.
April 8, 2026 Regional Government steps up investment in career guidance and vocational support for school-aged young people The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced today that the Regional Government is stepping up its investment in screening and vocational and career guidance for school-aged young people, aligned with the strategic proposal of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Education (ARQP) – Empowering Azoreans – Azores 2030. Maria João Carreiro spoke at the closing session of the “Qualifications 2036” seminar, organised by the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) in Ponta Delgada. On the occasion, she highlighted the increased focus on the Vocational and Career Guidance Office (GOVP) – established in 2022 – in supporting school-age young people in the Azores. “With GOVP, screening and vocational and career guidance sessions for school-aged young people will be further stepped up and expanded, encouraging them to draw up an individual career plan – an essential step in preventing these young people from becoming NEETs,” she explained. As the government official announced on Tuesday at a press conference to present the interim results of the ARQP, the NEET rate among young people in the Azores fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whilst the 2025 target set in the ARQP stood at 15%, representing a “very positive development” for the Region. Among other targets, the ARQP sets out the implementation of measures and actions to reduce the NEET rate among young people, through new models of early vocational guidance. “From the early school years, Azorean young people now have access to more coordinated measures from the Regional Directorate for Youth and the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, which provide opportunities for vocational guidance and socio-professional integration,” she emphasised. According to her, GOVP “has been essential” in developing tailored training and employment solutions for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other groups most in need of support, having already conducted 2,415 individual sessions and 420 group sessions with registered jobseekers. Maria João Carreiro also pointed out that public policies for training and employment “are being developed within a context that is profoundly different from that of five, 10, 15 or 20 years ago,” noting that the Region has seen its young population aged between 15 and 34 decrease by more than a quarter, falling from 78,469 to 57,434. “There are fewer young people in the Region’s demographic structure, longer educational pathways and more challenging transitions between education and work,” she noted. In a context where early dropout rates from education and training have fallen sharply compared with the figures of 20 years ago, the Region now has record highs in the number of employed people and record lows in the number of unemployed, she highlighted. According to the Regional Secretary, the Region “has moved from a model heavily reliant on employment schemes and precarious contracts to one increasingly focused on skills development, permanent employment and job quality,” as a response to the cyclical and structural challenges in training and employment that still persist. Since 2021, from the more than 7,200 placements under the hiring support scheme, 4,892 have benefited young people, with 87% on permanent contracts. “The shift in the profile of supported hiring is clear: whilst in 2017 only 1.1% of placements were permanent contracts, this figure reached 100% in 2025,” she concluded. Maria João Carreiro also noted that the initiative promoted by CESA, "Coordinated Public Action in Education and Vocational Training for Vulnerable Groups," underlined the importance of the path the Region has been following since 2021, a process in which the Regional Government relies on CESA’s contribution and participation.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the findings of the first-quarter 2026 report from the Displaced Patient Support Service (SADD) in Lisbon, emphasising the crucial role this service plays in supporting patients from the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Between January 1 and March 31, 2026, SADD followed 253 cases, with 87% from new referrals from regional hospitals, highlighting the growing demand and importance of this service as a first-line response in supporting patients requiring transfer. These cases resulted in 463 stays (224 patients referred from the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, 194 from the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and 45 from the Horta Hospital) with an average of 1.83 visits per patient, thus reflecting the need for ongoing care. There has also been a significant expansion of the Accommodation Protocol. It now provides eight rooms distributed across three apartments, in addition to an apartment with a single room adapted to accommodate patients with reduced mobility, equipped with an adjustable bed, a removable shower chair and a ramp providing access to bathroom facilities. In the first quarter of 2026, the Accommodation Protocol service recorded an average increase of about 34% in occupancy compared to 2025. The adapted apartment is primarily intended for residents with significant functional limitations, particularly in terms of mobility and independence, as well as for clinical conditions requiring specific accessibility and safety measures; allocation is based on duly assessed clinical, functional and social criteria. It is also important to note that the adapted apartment registered an average occupancy rate of 65.33% in its first two months of operation, evidencing high demand. For Mónica Seidi, “these figures demonstrate the Regional Government’s commitment to ensuring an integrated, person-centred and effective response to displaced patients, ensuring not only access to healthcare but also the necessary social, emotional and logistical support throughout the process.” The Regional Secretary also praised the work carried out by the Regional Directorate for Health and the SADD team, whose dedication has been crucial in ensuring the continuity of healthcare outside the Region, promoting the well-being of patients and their families.
April 8, 2026 New adapted apartment bolsters support for displaced Azorean patients The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security, Mónica Seidi, highlighted the findings of the first-quarter 2026 report from the Displaced Patient Support Service (SADD) in Lisbon, emphasising the crucial role this service plays in supporting patients from the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Between January 1 and March 31, 2026, SADD followed 253 cases, with 87% from new referrals from regional hospitals, highlighting the growing demand and importance of this service as a first-line response in supporting patients requiring transfer. These cases resulted in 463 stays (224 patients referred from the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, 194 from the Santo Espírito Hospital of Terceira Island, and 45 from the Horta Hospital) with an average of 1.83 visits per patient, thus reflecting the need for ongoing care. There has also been a significant expansion of the Accommodation Protocol. It now provides eight rooms distributed across three apartments, in addition to an apartment with a single room adapted to accommodate patients with reduced mobility, equipped with an adjustable bed, a removable shower chair and a ramp providing access to bathroom facilities. In the first quarter of 2026, the Accommodation Protocol service recorded an average increase of about 34% in occupancy compared to 2025. The adapted apartment is primarily intended for residents with significant functional limitations, particularly in terms of mobility and independence, as well as for clinical conditions requiring specific accessibility and safety measures; allocation is based on duly assessed clinical, functional and social criteria. It is also important to note that the adapted apartment registered an average occupancy rate of 65.33% in its first two months of operation, evidencing high demand. For Mónica Seidi, “these figures demonstrate the Regional Government’s commitment to ensuring an integrated, person-centred and effective response to displaced patients, ensuring not only access to healthcare but also the necessary social, emotional and logistical support throughout the process.” The Regional Secretary also praised the work carried out by the Regional Directorate for Health and the SADD team, whose dedication has been crucial in ensuring the continuity of healthcare outside the Region, promoting the well-being of patients and their families.
Nota de Imprensa
April 8, 2026 Regional Government promotes training courses for Nature Park Guides The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo, has been organising several training sessions as part of the Azores Nature Park Guides course and the Pico Mountain Guides course, with a view to addressing the shortcomings identified in recent years, as well as improving mechanisms for guided and qualified visits in the Region. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, pointed out that, in 2025, two training sessions were organised as part of the Azores Nature Park Guides course, one on Pico and one on São Miguel, as well as a training session under the Pico Mountain Guides course. He added that “another training session was held in São Miguel in early 2026, and a training session for the Azores Nature Parks Guides course in Faial is already being scheduled, as well as a training session for the Caldeira do Faial Guides course, both scheduled for the last quarter of 2026.” Alonso Miguel pointed out that “in light of the results of the assessment of previous editions, it was found necessary to overhaul the Azores Nature Park Guides course. Following consultation with the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CRADS), this resulted in Ordinance no. 86/2024 of October 8, 2024, which approves the admission requirements, the curricula and the assessment system for the training programmes to become a Nature Park Guide in the Azores, a Pico Mountain Guide and a Faial Caldera Guide.” The government official emphasised that, as part of these changes, “a thorough review was carried out into the syllabus content of the accredited courses, considering current needs as well as opportunities for improvement identified by instructors, trainees and the training entity during previous editions of the programmes. This required modifications to the structure and content of various course modules, as well as the conversion of some modules previously delivered in an in-person format to an online format.” Alonso Miguel explained that the Azores Nature Parks Guides course runs for 117 hours and comprises nine modules covering all the islands of the Azores, as well as a specific module for each island’s Nature Park. The Secretary for the Environment noted that “this course comprises modules in various areas, such as biodiversity and geodiversity, cultural and historical heritage, traditions, visitor services, risk management and first aid.” Alonso Miguel pointed out that “the environmental department has organised, since 2015, a total of 24 training sessions for the Azores Nature Parks Guides course, held across all the islands of the Azores, four training sessions for the Pico Mountain Guides course, and two training sessions for the Caldeira do Faial Guides course. These courses are accredited by the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training." The government official pointed out that “the Azores currently have 445 certified Azores Nature Park Guides, spread across the nine islands: four on Corvo Island, 13 on Flores Island, 24 on São Jorge Island, 18 on Graciosa Island, 51 on Terceira Island, 170 on São Miguel Island, in addition to a further 20 trainees who have very recently completed the course, 13 on Santa Maria Island, 40 on Faial Island and 92 on Pico Island.” “Since 2004, a total of 119 Pico Mountain Guides have been certified, although some of them no longer work regularly. We currently have 43 certified guides authorised to operate in the Caldeira do Faial Nature Reserve, who are qualified to work in this protected area,” he added. According to Alonso Miguel, “promoting the training of Nature Park Guides on Pico Island and Pico Mountain Guides is a strategic need to qualify more professionals in the nature tourism sector, given that, for various reasons, many of the Mountain Guides receiving training in previous years do not work as guides on Pico. This has led to a shortage of staff for companies to meet visitor demand, particularly during the high season.” The Regional Secretary announced that “digital cards are being developed for all certified guides, as the replacement of physical cards contributes to the modernisation and digital transition of public administration, with an ecological focus on saving materials and financial resources.” Alonso Miguel also stressed that “the Regional Government has been creating the necessary mechanisms to protect the unique natural heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, intending to preserve it and ensure its legacy for forthcoming generations.” The government official added that “nature tourism requires an approach committed to the preservation of natural ecosystems and the adoption of good environmental practices.” He concluded: “These courses play a fundamental role in enhancing the services provided by professionals guiding groups of visitors to protected areas, thereby improving their knowledge and contributing to an informed and safe visiting experience, as well as to the development of sustainable nature tourism.”
April 8, 2026 Regional Government promotes training courses for Nature Park Guides The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo, has been organising several training sessions as part of the Azores Nature Park Guides course and the Pico Mountain Guides course, with a view to addressing the shortcomings identified in recent years, as well as improving mechanisms for guided and qualified visits in the Region. The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, pointed out that, in 2025, two training sessions were organised as part of the Azores Nature Park Guides course, one on Pico and one on São Miguel, as well as a training session under the Pico Mountain Guides course. He added that “another training session was held in São Miguel in early 2026, and a training session for the Azores Nature Parks Guides course in Faial is already being scheduled, as well as a training session for the Caldeira do Faial Guides course, both scheduled for the last quarter of 2026.” Alonso Miguel pointed out that “in light of the results of the assessment of previous editions, it was found necessary to overhaul the Azores Nature Park Guides course. Following consultation with the Regional Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CRADS), this resulted in Ordinance no. 86/2024 of October 8, 2024, which approves the admission requirements, the curricula and the assessment system for the training programmes to become a Nature Park Guide in the Azores, a Pico Mountain Guide and a Faial Caldera Guide.” The government official emphasised that, as part of these changes, “a thorough review was carried out into the syllabus content of the accredited courses, considering current needs as well as opportunities for improvement identified by instructors, trainees and the training entity during previous editions of the programmes. This required modifications to the structure and content of various course modules, as well as the conversion of some modules previously delivered in an in-person format to an online format.” Alonso Miguel explained that the Azores Nature Parks Guides course runs for 117 hours and comprises nine modules covering all the islands of the Azores, as well as a specific module for each island’s Nature Park. The Secretary for the Environment noted that “this course comprises modules in various areas, such as biodiversity and geodiversity, cultural and historical heritage, traditions, visitor services, risk management and first aid.” Alonso Miguel pointed out that “the environmental department has organised, since 2015, a total of 24 training sessions for the Azores Nature Parks Guides course, held across all the islands of the Azores, four training sessions for the Pico Mountain Guides course, and two training sessions for the Caldeira do Faial Guides course. These courses are accredited by the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training." The government official pointed out that “the Azores currently have 445 certified Azores Nature Park Guides, spread across the nine islands: four on Corvo Island, 13 on Flores Island, 24 on São Jorge Island, 18 on Graciosa Island, 51 on Terceira Island, 170 on São Miguel Island, in addition to a further 20 trainees who have very recently completed the course, 13 on Santa Maria Island, 40 on Faial Island and 92 on Pico Island.” “Since 2004, a total of 119 Pico Mountain Guides have been certified, although some of them no longer work regularly. We currently have 43 certified guides authorised to operate in the Caldeira do Faial Nature Reserve, who are qualified to work in this protected area,” he added. According to Alonso Miguel, “promoting the training of Nature Park Guides on Pico Island and Pico Mountain Guides is a strategic need to qualify more professionals in the nature tourism sector, given that, for various reasons, many of the Mountain Guides receiving training in previous years do not work as guides on Pico. This has led to a shortage of staff for companies to meet visitor demand, particularly during the high season.” The Regional Secretary announced that “digital cards are being developed for all certified guides, as the replacement of physical cards contributes to the modernisation and digital transition of public administration, with an ecological focus on saving materials and financial resources.” Alonso Miguel also stressed that “the Regional Government has been creating the necessary mechanisms to protect the unique natural heritage of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, intending to preserve it and ensure its legacy for forthcoming generations.” The government official added that “nature tourism requires an approach committed to the preservation of natural ecosystems and the adoption of good environmental practices.” He concluded: “These courses play a fundamental role in enhancing the services provided by professionals guiding groups of visitors to protected areas, thereby improving their knowledge and contributing to an informed and safe visiting experience, as well as to the development of sustainable nature tourism.”
Nota de Imprensa
April 7, 2026 Regional Agenda for Vocational Training is “delivering results” and bringing about “significant changes” for the Region The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, presented today the results of the mid-term evaluation of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Training in Ponta Delgada – Empowering Azoreans. It was established in 2022 as a strategic proposal to enhance the skills and employability of Azoreans, as well as to promote vocational education and training in the Region. At a press conference attended by Renato Medeiros, Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, and Francisco Simões, Assistant Researcher at CIS-ISCTE (University Institute of Lisbon) and coordinator of the Regional Agenda’s scientific team, the government official stated that this unprecedented initiative in the Azores is “delivering results” in these first four years of implementation. It is also bringing about “significant changes” for the Region. “The results achieved underline the importance of the path we are following, as well as the suitability of this strategic proposal for the Region’s economic, social and demographic challenges,” she said, noting that the Regional Agenda has been designed to run until 2030. Coordinated by Francisco Simões, the mid-term evaluation identifies “consistent progress” in the ongoing implementation of the Regional Agenda, with “measurable impacts” in strengthening career guidance for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups. There has also been progress in raising the social profile of vocational education and training, and in increasing adult education and training in the Azores. The evaluation also highlights impacts such as new collaborative practices among training providers, schools and businesses; the recognition of the value of vocational education and training paths; the diversification of training provision, including in initial training; the modernisation of training support facilities in the 16 regional vocational schools; and the refurbishment of the Azores Training Centre through the RRP. Five of the eight targets set for 2025 were met or exceeded in 2024, representing a “positive development,” noted the government official. This is the case with the reduction in the early school dropout rate, which fell from 27% in 2020 to 19.8% in 2024, when the target for 2025 was 25%; the NEET rate among young people, which fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whereas the target for 2025 stood at 15%; or the reduction in the incidence of long-term unemployed in the Region’s total unemployment figures, which fell from 37.6% in 2020 to 27.5% in 2024, whilst the target for 2025 was 32%. The annual number of adults participating in workplace training has also risen from 450 in 2020 to 2,626 in 2024, exceeding the target of 900 adults set for 2025. Similarly, the annual number of adults with low qualifications involved in learning processes via the Valorizar Network increased from 450 in 2020 to 796 in 2024, whereas the target for 2025 stood at 660 adults involved in these programmes. “What we are seeing today is a Regional Agenda that is taking shape,” Maria João Carreiro noted, emphasising that this kind of assessment is not standard practice in public policies, and is therefore an exercise in transparency regarding the targets set out in the Agenda proposal. According to the Regional Secretary, the conditions are in place “to enter a new phase of consolidation” of the Regional Agenda for the 2026–2030 period, specifically in terms of strengthening its governance, rebalancing policies for vulnerable groups, implementing the OVER-SEES project, and recalibrating the training provision, as indicated by the mid-term evaluation. “The signs are positive and reinforce confidence in a strategic choice for the Azores. The growing recognition of the value of vocational qualification and training is a very positive sign for the future of the Azores,” he said, reiterating the Regional Government’s appreciation for the “mobilisation and commitment” of vocational schools and businesses in “successfully pursuing a goal that is in everyone’s interest.” The Regional Agenda for Vocational Training stems from the Regional Vocational Training Forum, an initiative of the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government launched in 2021. Public and private entities were brought together to analyse vocational education and training as well as to compile proposals and recommendations for the development of this sector, consolidating its central role in addressing structural challenges in training and employment.
April 7, 2026 Regional Agenda for Vocational Training is “delivering results” and bringing about “significant changes” for the Region The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, presented today the results of the mid-term evaluation of the Regional Agenda for Vocational Training in Ponta Delgada – Empowering Azoreans. It was established in 2022 as a strategic proposal to enhance the skills and employability of Azoreans, as well as to promote vocational education and training in the Region. At a press conference attended by Renato Medeiros, Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, and Francisco Simões, Assistant Researcher at CIS-ISCTE (University Institute of Lisbon) and coordinator of the Regional Agenda’s scientific team, the government official stated that this unprecedented initiative in the Azores is “delivering results” in these first four years of implementation. It is also bringing about “significant changes” for the Region. “The results achieved underline the importance of the path we are following, as well as the suitability of this strategic proposal for the Region’s economic, social and demographic challenges,” she said, noting that the Regional Agenda has been designed to run until 2030. Coordinated by Francisco Simões, the mid-term evaluation identifies “consistent progress” in the ongoing implementation of the Regional Agenda, with “measurable impacts” in strengthening career guidance for NEETs, the long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups. There has also been progress in raising the social profile of vocational education and training, and in increasing adult education and training in the Azores. The evaluation also highlights impacts such as new collaborative practices among training providers, schools and businesses; the recognition of the value of vocational education and training paths; the diversification of training provision, including in initial training; the modernisation of training support facilities in the 16 regional vocational schools; and the refurbishment of the Azores Training Centre through the RRP. Five of the eight targets set for 2025 were met or exceeded in 2024, representing a “positive development,” noted the government official. This is the case with the reduction in the early school dropout rate, which fell from 27% in 2020 to 19.8% in 2024, when the target for 2025 was 25%; the NEET rate among young people, which fell from 19.3% in 2020 to 12.1% in 2024, whereas the target for 2025 stood at 15%; or the reduction in the incidence of long-term unemployed in the Region’s total unemployment figures, which fell from 37.6% in 2020 to 27.5% in 2024, whilst the target for 2025 was 32%. The annual number of adults participating in workplace training has also risen from 450 in 2020 to 2,626 in 2024, exceeding the target of 900 adults set for 2025. Similarly, the annual number of adults with low qualifications involved in learning processes via the Valorizar Network increased from 450 in 2020 to 796 in 2024, whereas the target for 2025 stood at 660 adults involved in these programmes. “What we are seeing today is a Regional Agenda that is taking shape,” Maria João Carreiro noted, emphasising that this kind of assessment is not standard practice in public policies, and is therefore an exercise in transparency regarding the targets set out in the Agenda proposal. According to the Regional Secretary, the conditions are in place “to enter a new phase of consolidation” of the Regional Agenda for the 2026–2030 period, specifically in terms of strengthening its governance, rebalancing policies for vulnerable groups, implementing the OVER-SEES project, and recalibrating the training provision, as indicated by the mid-term evaluation. “The signs are positive and reinforce confidence in a strategic choice for the Azores. The growing recognition of the value of vocational qualification and training is a very positive sign for the future of the Azores,” he said, reiterating the Regional Government’s appreciation for the “mobilisation and commitment” of vocational schools and businesses in “successfully pursuing a goal that is in everyone’s interest.” The Regional Agenda for Vocational Training stems from the Regional Vocational Training Forum, an initiative of the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government launched in 2021. Public and private entities were brought together to analyse vocational education and training as well as to compile proposals and recommendations for the development of this sector, consolidating its central role in addressing structural challenges in training and employment.
