Vocational schools are already receiving new equipment purchased under RRP - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Azorean Vocational Schools are already receiving the new equipment acquired through Measure M9 - Support for Vocational Schools with Intervention in the Training and Professional Reconversion of Adults in the Azores under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). More than two million Euros have already been paid out to these organisations, i.e. 70% of the overall amount approved.

Of this sum of more than two million Euros, about 290 thousand Euros concern the payment of VAT on the new purchases and was fully borne by the Region by decision of the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment. The decision exempted Azorean Vocational Schools from any costs associated with their modernisation.

Maria João Carreiro presented the progress report on the implementation of this important measure for Vocational Schools today during the diploma delivery ceremony for about 100 graduates of MEP - Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Ponta Delgada Vocational School. The event was also attended by the Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, Renato Medeiros.

"In the Azores, we were pioneers when we decided and announced in June last year that the Region would bear the VAT so that no vocational school would miss out on this opportunity to respond to the challenges of digitisation, distance learning and the labour market itself," explained the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment.

The equipment purchased includes interactive whiteboards and videoconferencing systems, computer equipment such as desktop and laptop computers, tablets, devices to support the practical application of training in the areas of farming, cooking, catering, hospitality, health and well-being, and licences to operate this equipment.

"This investment under the PRR and the Region allows us to consolidate the installed capacity and create other training possibilities for Vocational Schools. The Azores need qualified young people and adults with the practical skills of vocational education, and for this reason, this investment in adapting equipment to the labour market is always a good investment," she stressed.

Maria João Carreiro praised the "ambitious joint work" carried out by the Regional Government and Vocational Schools to establish the importance of Vocational Education for the Region, underpinned by the Regional Agenda for Vocational Training, mentioning the MEP School's new graduates as a "good example of the quality of training" in the Azores.

"Your skills, ability to improve procedures, and your talent for transformation, endeavour and innovation are needed in the regional economy. We are counting on you to raise awareness not only among young people about choosing this educational path but also among companies about the benefits of hiring young people with vocational training," she said.

The Regional Secretary also emphasised that ‘young people who complete level 4 courses now benefit from increased support in terms of hiring and settling in the Azores, through measures such as Contratar and the “+ Youth” package.

The graduates of the Agricultural Technician, Health Care Assistant, Legal Services Technician, Family Support and Community Support Technician and Environmental Management Technician courses received their level 4 vocational diploma to whom Maria João Carreiro conveyed her "pride in the results and confidence in a promising future."

The Regional Secretary also praised the work of MEP, a Vocational School with 160 trainees. It has in its coordinators, counsellors, trainers and management "the best resources and means to scientifically and technically train the young people choosing this educational path, fulfilling its calling for training excellence."