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Unemployment registered in July at its lowest in the last 17 years in the Azores
Vocational schools promote 230 training initiatives for employed and unemployed people
Applications for ESTAGIAR U until May 31
This space is intended to be an important tool for the dissemination of the activities carried out by the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment (DRQPE), being accessible to all citizens.
Due to constant technological advances, the DRQPE strategically places at the service of all multiple contents and information of specific interest, but also of more general interest, providing a more comprehensive and clear vision of the competences and mission of this Regional Government service.
The Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment is responsible for assisting the Regional Secretary for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment in the development and pursuance of policies in the areas of employment, labour, training and vocational, monitoring the implementation of the resulting measures.
Therefore, the mission of the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment is focused on finding effective solutions to the challenges of qualifying human resources and promoting the employability of Azoreans. This is reflected in the increased competitiveness of our companies and, thus, contributes to the economic and social development of the Azores.
In this regard, the governmental action for vocational training and employment in the Azores should continue to focus on the monitoring of the unemployed, the promotion of vocational training and qualification of human resources, and the promotion of employment and labour stability. Furthermore, it should also focus on the social dialogue and on raising the awareness of social partners for the need to promote collective bargaining. In the pursuit of this mission, this department relies on funding from the Regional Budget, state transfers and Community funds, under the European Social Fund (ESF), the main financial instrument of the European Union (EU) for investment in people.
As such, and besides providing contents and functionalities, we are available to inform, advise and guide all citizens in the scope of our mission.
You are all most welcome!
September 1, 2025
Unemployment registered in July at its lowest in the last 17 years in the Azores
At the end of July, there were 3,968 unemployed people registered at the Azores Training and Employment Centre, reflecting a reduction of 3.9% compared to the previous month (June) and 9.1% compared to the same month last year (July 2025), according to the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP). The decline in unemployment in the Azores was more pronounced than in the country as a whole, which did not exceed 0.2% compared to the previous month and 4% compared to the same month last year, according to monthly information from the IEFP on the "Labour Market." Last July, the Azores registered the second-largest reduction in unemployment compared to the previous month, behind the Algarve, where the reduction stood at 5.8%, and compared to the same month last year, behind Madeira, with a drop of 19.4%. There were 5,419 people registered as unemployed at the public employment service in that Autonomous Region. In the same month, 1,570 unemployed people were enrolled in social and professional integration programmes. Such low unemployment figures had not been recorded in the Azores since November 2008 (3,863 unemployed), confirming the consolidation of a downward trend in unemployment in the Region that began with the PSD/CDS/PPM coalition government in November 2020. As of January 2021, 7,032 workers looking for their first or a new job remained registered at the public training and employment service of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and 3,811 unemployed people were enrolled in social and professional integration programmes (occupational programmes). In July of this year, there were 149 job advertisements, corresponding to 183 positions, with 111 positions filled. This effort resulted in placing 130 unemployed individuals registered at the Training and Employment Centre.
July 24, 2025
Vocational schools promote 230 training initiatives for employed and unemployed people
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.