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Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Press release
Press release
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Vocational education is more modern, better qualified and more future-oriented
Vocational education is more modern, better qualified and more future-oriented
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
Applications now open for 15 houses in Achadinha, municipality of Nordeste
Applications now open for 15 houses in Achadinha, municipality of Nordeste
June 3, 2026
Press release
May 30, 2026
Vocational education is more modern, better qualified and more future-oriented
May 28, 2026
Applications now open for 15 houses in Achadinha, municipality of Nordeste
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
June 3, 2026
Press release
Following the statement issued today by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo (CCIAH), the Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IRAE) considers it necessary, for the sake of truth and public trust, to provide the following clarifications: 1. IRAE reiterates that its actions are strictly bound by the principles of professionalism, proportionality and good faith, ensuring that all inspection activities are conducted with technical rigour, impartiality and absolute respect for economic operators. Inspection activities are carried out in accordance with the legal framework applicable to economic activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, namely the Regional Implementing Decree no. 20/2024/A of November 18, which defines the Inspectorate’s powers in matters of economic supervision, food safety and consumer protection. 2. IRAE inspectors carry out their duties with balance, courtesy and strict compliance with legal standards, ensuring that every intervention safeguards public health and food safety, promotes fair competition, respects the dignity of business owners and workers, and minimises disruption to the normal operation of establishments. Therefore, IRAE rejects any accusation of inappropriate or disproportionate behaviour that falls short of the standards of conduct required of its professionals. 3. Regarding the incident reported on the island of São Jorge, it is important to make it absolutely clear that no IRAE inspector was present during the inspection action in question, and the Inspectorate did not order the closure of the establishment concerned. The suspension of operations was not the result of any action taken by IRAE, so it is incorrect to associate this Inspectorate with the events reported. 4. IRAE maintains an institutional dialogue, based on cooperation and transparency, with the Azorean business community, reiterating its full willingness to provide clarification, promote information campaigns and enhance the predictability of inspection procedures. 5. This Inspectorate will continue to carry out its duties with rigour, impartiality and a sense of public service, ensuring consumer protection, economic compliance, food safety and confidence in the markets, whilst rejecting interpretations that do not correspond to the factual reality or the legal framework governing its activities.
June 3, 2026
Press release
Following the statement issued today by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo (CCIAH), the Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IRAE) considers it necessary, for the sake of truth and public trust, to provide the following clarifications: 1. IRAE reiterates that its actions are strictly bound by the principles of professionalism, proportionality and good faith, ensuring that all inspection activities are conducted with technical rigour, impartiality and absolute respect for economic operators. Inspection activities are carried out in accordance with the legal framework applicable to economic activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, namely the Regional Implementing Decree no. 20/2024/A of November 18, which defines the Inspectorate’s powers in matters of economic supervision, food safety and consumer protection. 2. IRAE inspectors carry out their duties with balance, courtesy and strict compliance with legal standards, ensuring that every intervention safeguards public health and food safety, promotes fair competition, respects the dignity of business owners and workers, and minimises disruption to the normal operation of establishments. Therefore, IRAE rejects any accusation of inappropriate or disproportionate behaviour that falls short of the standards of conduct required of its professionals. 3. Regarding the incident reported on the island of São Jorge, it is important to make it absolutely clear that no IRAE inspector was present during the inspection action in question, and the Inspectorate did not order the closure of the establishment concerned. The suspension of operations was not the result of any action taken by IRAE, so it is incorrect to associate this Inspectorate with the events reported. 4. IRAE maintains an institutional dialogue, based on cooperation and transparency, with the Azorean business community, reiterating its full willingness to provide clarification, promote information campaigns and enhance the predictability of inspection procedures. 5. This Inspectorate will continue to carry out its duties with rigour, impartiality and a sense of public service, ensuring consumer protection, economic compliance, food safety and confidence in the markets, whilst rejecting interpretations that do not correspond to the factual reality or the legal framework governing its activities.
Nota de Imprensa
May 30, 2026
Vocational education is more modern, better qualified and more future-oriented
Vocational school education is “more modern, better qualified and future-oriented,” stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, highlighting the €2.5 million investment under the RRP and the Regional Budget in modernising facilities to support high-quality practical training and creating motivating learning environments. “Whilst others have limited themselves to merely managing the Vocational Education and Training system, we have chosen to reform it, enhance it and bring it closer to young people and businesses,” she stated during the session marking the 30th anniversary of the São Jorge Island Vocational School. In her speech, the government official stated that the work being carried out by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, in close dialogue and coordination with vocational schools, is providing “the best collective responses to the present and future needs of a strategic sector” for the Region. “When there is vision, investment and purpose, vocational education moves forward, evolves and earns prestige. Vocational education in the Region is today more dynamic, more attractive and better prepared to continue ensuring that the Azores have the talent and qualifications needed to face challenges,” stated the Regional Secretary. Vocational schools now have more students and more courses than in 2021. Furthermore, they are now held in higher regard by young people, who are increasingly considering vocational education as their first choice at an ever-earlier age, rather than as a fallback option, as well as by parents and guardians, who now have greater confidence in the training programmes provided by vocational schools, she noted. “There are those who accuse us of overconfidence. For us, the Regional Government, rejecting overconfidence is an act of responsibility; acknowledging progress is a duty of honesty. Some say that we present today as a great achievement what we largely received as a legacy, when, in fact, the legacy we received was a heavy one, difficult and marked by many unresolved problems,” she recalled. In 2021, faced with the lack of a clear and ambitious vision for Vocational education in the Region, the Regional Government presented the Regional Agenda for Vocational Qualifications, a strategic proposal to place vocational education and training at the heart of the responses to the social, economic and demographic challenges in the Azores. “In light of the financial penalties that vocational schools were facing due to student dropouts, as a result of the funding model agreed by socialist governments, we introduced an unprecedented compensation scheme for all vocational schools, representing a public investment of €1.3 million across the Region, which provided financial relief for these certified training providers,” she noted. Maria João Carreiro emphasised that challenges remain, particularly in terms of aligning training provision with the needs of the economy, as well as training for the workforce, both employed and unemployed, calling for closer coordination between companies and certified training providers to design bespoke training programmes. The Regional Secretary congratulated the “excellent work” of the São Jorge Island Vocational School, one of the “strongest institutions on the island,” whose journey “inspires pride for the work achieved and the perseverance shown.” She highlighted the school’s willingness and ability to embrace innovation and take on challenges for the benefit of trainees and the regional economy.
May 30, 2026
Vocational education is more modern, better qualified and more future-oriented
Vocational school education is “more modern, better qualified and future-oriented,” stated the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, highlighting the €2.5 million investment under the RRP and the Regional Budget in modernising facilities to support high-quality practical training and creating motivating learning environments. “Whilst others have limited themselves to merely managing the Vocational Education and Training system, we have chosen to reform it, enhance it and bring it closer to young people and businesses,” she stated during the session marking the 30th anniversary of the São Jorge Island Vocational School. In her speech, the government official stated that the work being carried out by the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM coalition government, in close dialogue and coordination with vocational schools, is providing “the best collective responses to the present and future needs of a strategic sector” for the Region. “When there is vision, investment and purpose, vocational education moves forward, evolves and earns prestige. Vocational education in the Region is today more dynamic, more attractive and better prepared to continue ensuring that the Azores have the talent and qualifications needed to face challenges,” stated the Regional Secretary. Vocational schools now have more students and more courses than in 2021. Furthermore, they are now held in higher regard by young people, who are increasingly considering vocational education as their first choice at an ever-earlier age, rather than as a fallback option, as well as by parents and guardians, who now have greater confidence in the training programmes provided by vocational schools, she noted. “There are those who accuse us of overconfidence. For us, the Regional Government, rejecting overconfidence is an act of responsibility; acknowledging progress is a duty of honesty. Some say that we present today as a great achievement what we largely received as a legacy, when, in fact, the legacy we received was a heavy one, difficult and marked by many unresolved problems,” she recalled. In 2021, faced with the lack of a clear and ambitious vision for Vocational education in the Region, the Regional Government presented the Regional Agenda for Vocational Qualifications, a strategic proposal to place vocational education and training at the heart of the responses to the social, economic and demographic challenges in the Azores. “In light of the financial penalties that vocational schools were facing due to student dropouts, as a result of the funding model agreed by socialist governments, we introduced an unprecedented compensation scheme for all vocational schools, representing a public investment of €1.3 million across the Region, which provided financial relief for these certified training providers,” she noted. Maria João Carreiro emphasised that challenges remain, particularly in terms of aligning training provision with the needs of the economy, as well as training for the workforce, both employed and unemployed, calling for closer coordination between companies and certified training providers to design bespoke training programmes. The Regional Secretary congratulated the “excellent work” of the São Jorge Island Vocational School, one of the “strongest institutions on the island,” whose journey “inspires pride for the work achieved and the perseverance shown.” She highlighted the school’s willingness and ability to embrace innovation and take on challenges for the benefit of trainees and the regional economy.
