Vocational schools promote 230 training initiatives for employed and unemployed people - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego

Azorean Vocational Schools will promote 230 sector-specific training initiatives tailored to the needs of companies and adjusted to the strategic sectors of the Region until May 31 next year.

The training areas available are as follows: Tourism and Leisure, Culinary, Confectionary, Agricultural and Animal Production, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Safety, Handling and Conservation of Fish, English Language, Commerce, Electricity and Energy, Accounting and Taxation, Social Work and Guidance, Health, Transport, Metallurgy and Metalworking, and Computer Science.

This training programme was proposed by Vocational Schools and the Azores Training Centre. It was approved by the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, under Qualifica.In, a measure created by the Regional Government of the Azores and financed under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for the Region.

Employed and unemployed people aged 18 or over are eligible to apply. Unemployed people are awarded a training grant of 3 Euros for each hour of training, up to the monthly limit corresponding to the Social Support Index (IAS).

Training can be provided in person and/or remotely, lasting between 25 and 600 hours, adapting to the diversity of audiences on the different islands. Training providers are responsible for setting their schedule for applications, selection of trainees and starting dates for courses until May 31, 2026.

Those interested in these courses, which are free of charge and available for consultation on the online platform certificar.azores.gov.pt, should contact the respective training entities with approved training initiatives, in this case:

Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Angra do Heroísmo Vocational School;

INETESE Açores - Association for Education and Training;

Monsenhor João Maurício de Amaral Ferreira Vocational School (Povoação);

Azores Maritime School;

Praia da Vitória Vocational School;

Azores Tourism Training School;

Pico Island Vocational School;

São Jorge Island Vocational School;

Horta Vocational School;

Vila Franca do Campo Vocational School;

Azores Training Centre.

Training entities with courses approved under Qualifica.In are awarded financial support of 40 Euros for each hour of training provided, up to a maximum amount of 24 thousand Euros for each training initiative. Overall, it is expected to cover more than 3,700 trainees, 76% of whom are employed.

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment calls on companies and employers to make their employees aware of the training initiatives now available, as "it is an opportunity to strengthen skills that will be reflected in improved productivity."

“Qualifica.In is an initiative that reinforces the Regional Government's commitment to valuing skills, tackling skills shortages and promoting employability, bringing it into line with the RRP goals for a more skilled, innovative and cohesive society,” explained Maria João Carreiro.