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Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Maria João Carreiro highlights importance of valuing tourism professionals and occupations as key challenge to increasing number of people employed in the sector
Maria João Carreiro highlights importance of valuing tourism professionals and occupations as key challenge to increasing number of people employed in the sector
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Regional Government increases funding for youth association activities
Regional Government increases funding for youth association activities
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Regional Government launches public tender for refurbishment of 14 houses on Terceira Island
Regional Government launches public tender for refurbishment of 14 houses on Terceira Island
October 28, 2025
Maria João Carreiro highlights importance of valuing tourism professionals and occupations as key challenge to increasing number of people employed in the sector
October 27, 2025
Regional Government increases funding for youth association activities
October 23, 2025
Regional Government launches public tender for refurbishment of 14 houses on Terceira Island
News
Crafts and Design Centre of the Azores
Regional Directorate for Housing
Regional Directorate for Youth
Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment
Regional Employment Fund
Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities
Regional Labour Inspectorate
Employment and Vocational Training Observatory
Azores Training Centre
Nota de Imprensa
October 28, 2025
Maria João Carreiro highlights importance of valuing tourism professionals and occupations as key challenge to increasing number of people employed in the sector
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment chaired today the opening session of the Lab Conference by Bensaúde Hotels, promoted as part of Week Food Lab, an event organised by AVEA - Association for the Economic Promotion of the Azores, which runs until Saturday, November 1, at the Pavilhão do Mar in Ponta Delgada. Maria João Carreiro defended that valuing professionals and occupations in the areas of tourism, leisure, hospitality and catering is one of the key challenges to increasing the employed population in these growing sectors, which are creating job opportunities in the Azores. "Tourism is made up of people, service and skills. We cannot think about the sustainability of tourism, hospitality or catering without a policy towards the development of occupations and professionals who are essential for tourism to happen," she said. The Regional Secretary highlighted the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government's commitment to providing incentives to companies to retain workers and attract human resources to tourism. These incentives include support for training and hiring employees and unemployed people, both young people and adults, which increases opportunities for job stability and better income for workers, and boosts companies' productivity levels. From January 2021 to date, 2,337 active, employed, and unemployed individuals have been certified in the areas of hospitality and catering, tourism, and leisure. This includes a total of more than 180 training programmes provided under Form.Açores, Qualifica.In and the Certified Training Entities in the Region initiative. In the past four academic years, Azorean vocational schools have introduced 34 new level 4 courses in hospitality and catering, tourism, and leisure, enrolling 580 students. In the 2025/2026 school year, 13 new courses were opened in these areas, involving 207 students. The Regional Secretary added that, since 2021, more than 2,400 unemployed people have been placed in employment support programmes in the areas of tourism, hospitality/accommodation and catering. In the same period, more than 83% of the 3,680 jobs advertised by the Training and Employment in these areas have been filled. The most sought-after occupations with the highest number of workers placed through the CONTRATAR measure are those in the areas of kitchen and catering: out of more than 6,100 workers with supported employment contracts since 2021, 21% have been placed in these areas. "As part of an ambitious strategy for the present and future of tourism in the Azores, training, qualifications and job quality are fundamental to the sustainability of our offer. Accordingly, they are fundamental to ensuring that the investment in the sector generates even more value for the Region and also that tourism translates into more value for companies and workers," she emphasised. The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, is supporting the second edition of Week Food Lab with €40,000, considering its programme geared towards culinary training and innovation as well as its contribution to enhancing the catering industry. It also promotes the Region as a gastronomic tourist destination, leveraged by the training of its professionals. The Week Food Lab will feature the following Michelin-starred national and international chefs: Alexandre Silva (Fogo and Loco, Lisbon, Portugal), Ricardo Costa (Yeatman, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal), Octávio Freitas (Desarma, Funchal, Portugal), Elena Cerezo (Angle, Barcelona, Spain), Daniel Dal-Ben (1876 Daniel Dal-Bem, Düsseldorf, Germany) and Matteo Vergine (Grow, Albiate, Italy). The programme includes advanced and certified training in the areas of "Room Service" and "Wines and Bartending" featuring sommeliers Gonçalo Patraquim (Double Tree by Hilton Lagoa Azores) and João Barbosa (Desarma), as well as initial training workshops on "Enhancing endogenous and local raw materials"; "Traditional Cuisine," “Upselling,” "Communication and Posture" and "Bartending and Mixology." In addition to themed dinners at the Anfiteatro Lounge Restaurant at Portas do Mar, participants in Week Food Lab can take part in visits to regional partners and producers. The Lab Conference by Bensaúde Hotels was held under the theme "Sustainability: A 360 Process," addressing topics such as "Innovation, sustainability, origin, and biodiversity" and "Regeneration, technology, and science: awareness and links."
October 28, 2025
Maria João Carreiro highlights importance of valuing tourism professionals and occupations as key challenge to increasing number of people employed in the sector
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment chaired today the opening session of the Lab Conference by Bensaúde Hotels, promoted as part of Week Food Lab, an event organised by AVEA - Association for the Economic Promotion of the Azores, which runs until Saturday, November 1, at the Pavilhão do Mar in Ponta Delgada. Maria João Carreiro defended that valuing professionals and occupations in the areas of tourism, leisure, hospitality and catering is one of the key challenges to increasing the employed population in these growing sectors, which are creating job opportunities in the Azores. "Tourism is made up of people, service and skills. We cannot think about the sustainability of tourism, hospitality or catering without a policy towards the development of occupations and professionals who are essential for tourism to happen," she said. The Regional Secretary highlighted the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government's commitment to providing incentives to companies to retain workers and attract human resources to tourism. These incentives include support for training and hiring employees and unemployed people, both young people and adults, which increases opportunities for job stability and better income for workers, and boosts companies' productivity levels. From January 2021 to date, 2,337 active, employed, and unemployed individuals have been certified in the areas of hospitality and catering, tourism, and leisure. This includes a total of more than 180 training programmes provided under Form.Açores, Qualifica.In and the Certified Training Entities in the Region initiative. In the past four academic years, Azorean vocational schools have introduced 34 new level 4 courses in hospitality and catering, tourism, and leisure, enrolling 580 students. In the 2025/2026 school year, 13 new courses were opened in these areas, involving 207 students. The Regional Secretary added that, since 2021, more than 2,400 unemployed people have been placed in employment support programmes in the areas of tourism, hospitality/accommodation and catering. In the same period, more than 83% of the 3,680 jobs advertised by the Training and Employment in these areas have been filled. The most sought-after occupations with the highest number of workers placed through the CONTRATAR measure are those in the areas of kitchen and catering: out of more than 6,100 workers with supported employment contracts since 2021, 21% have been placed in these areas. "As part of an ambitious strategy for the present and future of tourism in the Azores, training, qualifications and job quality are fundamental to the sustainability of our offer. Accordingly, they are fundamental to ensuring that the investment in the sector generates even more value for the Region and also that tourism translates into more value for companies and workers," she emphasised. The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, is supporting the second edition of Week Food Lab with €40,000, considering its programme geared towards culinary training and innovation as well as its contribution to enhancing the catering industry. It also promotes the Region as a gastronomic tourist destination, leveraged by the training of its professionals. The Week Food Lab will feature the following Michelin-starred national and international chefs: Alexandre Silva (Fogo and Loco, Lisbon, Portugal), Ricardo Costa (Yeatman, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal), Octávio Freitas (Desarma, Funchal, Portugal), Elena Cerezo (Angle, Barcelona, Spain), Daniel Dal-Ben (1876 Daniel Dal-Bem, Düsseldorf, Germany) and Matteo Vergine (Grow, Albiate, Italy). The programme includes advanced and certified training in the areas of "Room Service" and "Wines and Bartending" featuring sommeliers Gonçalo Patraquim (Double Tree by Hilton Lagoa Azores) and João Barbosa (Desarma), as well as initial training workshops on "Enhancing endogenous and local raw materials"; "Traditional Cuisine," “Upselling,” "Communication and Posture" and "Bartending and Mixology." In addition to themed dinners at the Anfiteatro Lounge Restaurant at Portas do Mar, participants in Week Food Lab can take part in visits to regional partners and producers. The Lab Conference by Bensaúde Hotels was held under the theme "Sustainability: A 360 Process," addressing topics such as "Innovation, sustainability, origin, and biodiversity" and "Regeneration, technology, and science: awareness and links."
Nota de Imprensa
October 27, 2025
Regional Government increases funding for youth association activities
Youth associations registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations will have access to a total amount of €170,000 in funding for the implementation of their activity plans in 2026, under the terms of the Order of the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, published today in the Official Journal. This amount represents an increase of €20,000 over the amount approved for the current year under the Support Programme for Activity Plans of the Incentive System for the Development of Youth Associations (SIDAAJ). Applications must be submitted using the electronic form available on the website juventude.azores.gov.pt, from November 1 to December 15 for youth associations, and from November 1 to January 15, 2026, for student associations. “The funding available for next year aims to increase the material conditions and resources so that each youth association can achieve more, with higher quality and even greater impact,” emphasised Maria João Carreiro. The Regional Secretary reiterates the Azorean Government's commitment to "strengthening the youth association movement." She pointed out that youth associations carry out an "essential mission not only to defend and assert the interests of young people, but also to train and empower young people for the exercise of active and constructive citizenship. A citizenship that seeks to be part of the solution and not just stand by and watch the challenges unfold." The publication of the Order establishing the maximum amount of funding for youth association activities follows the end of InterAj - Training Workshop for Youth Associations. The event took place from 24 to 26 October on the island of Faial, bringing together more than 50 association leaders and representatives of youth associations. Promoted by the Regional Directorate for Youth, this annual meeting of youth associations focused on the theme of "Leadership and Sustainability of Associations." During InterAj, participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops on "Administrative and Financial Management in Youth Associations," Leadership Strategies and Development of Youth Associations," and "Innovation in Youth Associations." The new SIDAAJ, regulated in 2023 by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, includes increased funding, additional eligible expenses, and extended application periods. It also provides for the funding of projects co-organised by two or three associations and biannual funding for projects lasting two years.
October 27, 2025
Regional Government increases funding for youth association activities
Youth associations registered in the Azorean Register of Youth Associations will have access to a total amount of €170,000 in funding for the implementation of their activity plans in 2026, under the terms of the Order of the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, published today in the Official Journal. This amount represents an increase of €20,000 over the amount approved for the current year under the Support Programme for Activity Plans of the Incentive System for the Development of Youth Associations (SIDAAJ). Applications must be submitted using the electronic form available on the website juventude.azores.gov.pt, from November 1 to December 15 for youth associations, and from November 1 to January 15, 2026, for student associations. “The funding available for next year aims to increase the material conditions and resources so that each youth association can achieve more, with higher quality and even greater impact,” emphasised Maria João Carreiro. The Regional Secretary reiterates the Azorean Government's commitment to "strengthening the youth association movement." She pointed out that youth associations carry out an "essential mission not only to defend and assert the interests of young people, but also to train and empower young people for the exercise of active and constructive citizenship. A citizenship that seeks to be part of the solution and not just stand by and watch the challenges unfold." The publication of the Order establishing the maximum amount of funding for youth association activities follows the end of InterAj - Training Workshop for Youth Associations. The event took place from 24 to 26 October on the island of Faial, bringing together more than 50 association leaders and representatives of youth associations. Promoted by the Regional Directorate for Youth, this annual meeting of youth associations focused on the theme of "Leadership and Sustainability of Associations." During InterAj, participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops on "Administrative and Financial Management in Youth Associations," Leadership Strategies and Development of Youth Associations," and "Innovation in Youth Associations." The new SIDAAJ, regulated in 2023 by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, includes increased funding, additional eligible expenses, and extended application periods. It also provides for the funding of projects co-organised by two or three associations and biannual funding for projects lasting two years.