Regional Government promotes regional survey of Basic Education students' vocational interests - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Next year, the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Employment and Vocational Training Observatory, will promote a regional survey among Basic Education students, specifically 8th and 9th graders in regional schools, to identify their vocational interests and potential decisions after completing this cycle of studies. 

The results will be used as a tool to support Azorean Vocational Schools in proposing, providing and opening new level 4 vocational courses, stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, at the diploma award ceremony for the Tourism Training School (EFTA) graduates. 

‘’Similar to the survey conducted in 2023, valid for two years, this new study is intended to support vocational schools in defining a range of courses tailored to young people's interests and the needs of the labour market as a complement to the surveys conducted by schools among students and employers,‘’ she explained. 

Maria João Carreiro emphasised that the number of new students in Vocational Education at Vocational Schools has increased in the Azores since 2022, "a positive trend reflecting the confidence that this educational path is generating among young people and parents today."

"Regional economy needs qualified young people with the skills acquired in vocational education at vocational schools," she emphasised, praising the Azorean Government's joint work with vocational schools to establish the strategic importance of this form of education. 

The Regional Secretary also mentioned the public recognition of the quality and excellence of Vocational Education in the Azores, mentioning as an example the 18 medals won this year by Azorean trainees in the National Skills Championship and the victory of trainees André Ferreira, Carolina Gaspar and André Pacheco, from EFTA, in the "Young Culinary Talent" 2024 competition.

"Among the trainees from Azorean Vocational Schools are national champions in areas such as Web Technologies, Confectionary, Caring, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Mobile Application Development or Accounting. These achievements make us all proud and confirm that vocational education is a choice that leads students to good results," she said. 

According to the government official, young people completing level 4 courses now benefit from increased support for hiring and settling in the Azores, through measures such as CONTRATAR and the "+ Youth" package. 

More than twenty EFTA trainees received their level 4 diploma, which confers double certification, in Restaurant/Bar and Culinary/Confectionary. Maria João Carreiro urged them to "stay in the Region and contribute to the promotion of tourism in the Azores by putting into practice the excellent training they received at EFTA."  

The ceremony was also attended by the President of the AVEA Board, Eládio Braga, the Regional Director for Vocational Training and Employment, Renato Medeiros, and representatives of public and private organisations that are partners of the Azores Tourism Training School.