Azores with excellent conditions for training tourism professionals - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing, and Employment, Maria Joao Carreiro, participated in the presentation of the second edition of “Week Food Lab,” a gastronomy, tourism, and training event promoted by AVEA - Association for the Economic Promotion of the Azores, which will take place from October 27 to November 1 at the Pavilhão do Mar in Ponta Delgada.

On the occasion, the government official praised the excellent conditions provided by the Region for training and qualifying professionals in various areas associated with the tourism sector, namely through Level 4 professional courses and Lifelong Learning. These include hours of learning in a real work context with Azorean companies and initiatives such as the “Week Food Lab,” which brings together Azorean trainees with distinguished national and foreign Michelin-awarded chefs.

“Tourism is growing in the Azores. With this growth, opportunities for training and qualification are emerging in vocational schools and certified training institutions that can and should be seized not only by school-aged young people but also by adults who are unemployed or wish to change their professional path,” she noted.

A total of 15 new courses in hospitality, catering, tourism, and leisure are available at vocational schools for the 2025/2026 school year, representing more than 300 vacancies.

Maria João Carreiro also emphasised that the tourism sector provides"employment and career opportunities." She pointed out that, since 2021, a total of 3,593 job advertisements in the areas of catering, hospitality and tourism have been submitted to the Training and Employment Centre, for 3,878 vacancies, with 91% of these vacancies being filled.

The skill of the workers sets the regional tourism apart and makes it stand out. It is a key factor in creating value for businesses and the economy, and it should be recognised, she said.

Based on this assumption, the government official stressed that it is necessary to continue "dignifying tourism occupations to attract more workers to a growing sector." This is achieved by enhancing the skills of trained workers, promoting job stability and income, in a process that the Regional Government has been encouraging with measures to support training, qualification and stable employment.

The Regional Secretary congratulated AVEA on the initiative and format of the event, which combines gastronomic practices and local Azorean products with basic and advanced training for young people and adults, workshops and visits to local producers. It also includes the conference "Training and Qualification as a way to ensure added value to businesses."

“This event is a strategic lever for the enhancement of human resources and for the sustainable development of tourism and catering in the Azores. In promoting the identity of our gastronomy and investing in the qualification of those who practise it, we create opportunities, stimulate the circular economy and project a stronger image of the Azorean business sector,” she praised.