Regional Government reinforces modernisation of São Jorge Island Vocational School - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, accompanied by the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, visited today the São Jorge Island Vocational School (EPISJ), as part of the modernisation of its equipment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

The investment in this vocational education establishment reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening the quality of vocational education in the Region and guaranteeing students better learning conditions.

EPISJ currently has 124 trainees on seven vocational courses: three classes of the Vehicle Mechatronics Technician, three in Agricultural Production and one in Education Assistant. The school has established protocols with Cape Verde to facilitate the integration of students from that country, reinforcing international cooperation and promoting cultural diversity in vocational training in the Azores.

Since the 2011/2012 school year, the school has been running two vocational courses annually. From 2024/2025 it will provide three courses, a measure aligned with the Regional Government's strategy of reducing competition between regular schools and vocational schools amid a decline in the number of students in the regional education system.

The modernisation of EPISJ included purchasing new equipment, namely a new computer network, equipment for the Vehicle Mechatronics course and infrastructures for the Agricultural courses, such as two greenhouses and an irrigation system. 

This investment, totalling 225,560.64 Euros, has already seen 215,048.70 Euros implemented, thus promoting a qualitative leap in students' technical and practical training.

In the regional context, the 16 Azorean Vocational Schools also benefited from this modernisation programme, with an overall investment of 2.9 million Euros, including 410 thousand Euros borne by the Region to cover VAT. 

This measure was a pioneering initiative in the Azores so that no vocational school would miss out on these fundamental investments to meet the digitalisation challenges, distance learning and adaptation to the labour market demands.

"In the Azores, we were pioneers when, in June 2023, we decided that the Region would bear the VAT so that no vocational school would miss out on this opportunity," stressed José Manuel Bolieiro.

The head of the Regional Government also emphasised the importance of vocational education for the future of the Azores. 

"We are promoting the belief in empowered self-esteem regarding Vocational Education with these investments and the Government's recognition of the importance of this specialised education for the Region's future," he said. 

In addition, José Manuel Bolieiro emphasised that EPISJ has been improving its teaching and learning conditions, offering students a more up-to-date and better-equipped space. 

The Regional Government intends to continue valuing vocational education with schools and social partners. It will also continue reducing bureaucracy and streamlining procedures in vocational education and training, investing heavily in new technologies as a factor of difference and quality.