José Manuel Bolieiro highlights “new phase” in vocational training in the Azores with €16.5 million investment - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, chaired today the opening of the refurbishment and renovation works of the Azores Training Centre (CQA) in São Miguel. On the occasion, he noted that the investment marks the beginning of “a new cycle” for vocational training in the Region and the development of the Azorean economy.

The project represented an investment of about €16.5 million, with €14.2 million funded under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) and €2.3 million under the Autonomous Region of the Azores Budget. It involved an extensive modernisation of the facilities, outfitting them with new equipment and learning environments geared towards the challenges of Industry 5.0, the green and blue economy, and the careers of the future.

The head of the Azorean Government emphasised that investing in people’s skills is one of the strategic priorities for the Government of the Azores.

"Today marks the beginning of a new cycle. I am confident in what we will be able to achieve from now on in terms of training and skills development for the Azorean people," he emphasised.

The President of the Government emphasised that the Azores Training Centre will now take on a coordinating role within the regional qualifications system, promoting the sharing of knowledge amongst the 16 vocational schools in the Region and facilitating better management of existing resources.

José Manuel Bolieiro also called for closer alignment between education and the business community, noting that training should respond to the current economic needs. 

He maintained: “Companies are no longer merely recipients of training, but have become true partners in the upskilling of people and the development of our economy.”

The President of the Regional Government emphasised that the modernisation, now complete, goes far beyond the physical refurbishment of the building, embodying a new vision for teaching and learning, based on innovation, excellence and employability.

"Success will only be achieved if we train people," he said, advocating a "paradigm shift" that prioritises wealth generation, innovation and the promotion of Azorean talent. "We have not merely modernised buildings. We have modernised the way we teach, learn and prepare the Azores for the future," he declared.

José Manuel Bolieiro also considered this investment as part of the strategy to develop regional autonomy, highlighting that the Azores must “think globally and act locally,” harnessing the opportunities brought by Portugal’s membership of the European Union to bolster the Region’s competitiveness.

The new Azores Training Centre falls within a broader strategy to promote lifelong learning, the recognition of skills and professional retraining, positioning itself as a key tool for strengthening businesses, attracting talent and promoting sustainable economic growth.

The refurbishment of the CQA is part of a €24 million investment in adult education and lifelong learning, which has also enabled the modernisation of the 16 vocational schools across the Azores and supported more than 10,000 participants in skill development, training and career guidance programmes.

The ceremony was also attended by the Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Development, Hélder Reis; the Regional Secretary for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas; the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, the President of the Board of Directors of the Azores Training Centre (IPRA), Acir Meirelles, the President of the "Recuperar Portugal" Task Force, Fernando Alfaiate, the Coordinator of the Task Force for Monitoring the Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) in the Azores, Rui Luís, and members of the Board of Directors of the Azores Training Centre (CQA), IPRA, Albertino Monteiro and Noémia Ventura. Also in attendance were trainees, instructors, representatives of vocational schools, partner companies and various organisations linked to education, training and economic development in the Region.