Azores' application for Talent Booster Mechanism approved by European Commission, says Maria João Carreiro - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

The European Commission has approved the Azores' application for the Talent Booster Mechanism, an initiative launched last year to support European regions in promoting and boosting public responses to training, attracting and maintaining talent in the face of an accelerating decline in the working-age population.

This mechanism will provide the Region with detailed analyses, policy recommendations and action plans tailored to address specific demographic and territorial challenges through the support and expert advice of the OECD.

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment considered the European Commission's decision "good news for the Region," as it is an "opportunity to embrace new approaches to the work that began in 2020," under the PSD/CDS/PPM governance, which is leading to practical measures aimed at attracting young and qualified people.

Maria João Carreiro recalled that an action plan has been defined for the first time in the Region to improve the training and qualification of the working-age population, young people and adults, as embodied in the Regional Agenda for Vocational Training. In addition, measures have been implemented to support traineeships and hiring, with a view to promoting job quality and maintaining talent.

The Talent Booster Mechanism will run from next April until May 2025. The first working meeting with the OECD will take place on April 18 and 19.

The 10 European regions selected by a committee of experts from the European Commission to benefit from this support include, in addition to the Azores, the Northern Region of Portugal, Nord-Vest (Romania), Castilla y León and Extremadura (Spain), Campania (Italy), Centre-Val de Loire (France), Pohjois-Savo (Finland), Thessaly (Greece) and Banská Bystrica (Slovak Republic).