AZORES | Maria João Carreiro announces €3 million in funding for training private sector workers

The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment announced on Monday in Ponta Delgada the opening of the call for funding short and medium-term certified modular training aimed at private sector workers under the Azores 2030 – ESF+ Programme, with an overall budget of €3 million. 

Applications must be submitted from today, February 10, until March 31, at the Fund Desk, at https://balcaofundosue.pt/, stated Maria João Carreiro. The announcement was made during a meeting with the newly elected board of AEPA – Association of Vocational Schools of the Azores, chaired by João Moniz, and with the Vice-President of ANESPO – National Association of Vocational Schools, Domingos Borges. 

According to the notice, published at https://portugal2030.pt/avisos/, public and private vocational schools, certified training entities, the Azores Training Centre and private employers in the Region are eligible to apply.

Training courses authorised on the Certificar Platform, at www.certificar.azores.gov.pt, structured as a Curricular Unit (UC) or Short-Term Training Unit (UFCD), according to the National Qualifications Framework (QNQ) benchmarks, either in classroom or distance learning, are eligible for funding. 

The certified modular training programmes are intended to promote qualification opportunities for workers. They aim to meet the training needs of the labour market and deepen the professional skills of adults, with a view to better adapting to technological and organisational changes, as well as improving employability. 

According to Maria João Carreiro, ESF+ is “a structuring force in regional policy on adult training and retraining, with a direct impact on employability, retraining and lifelong learning.” As such, she called for the “active mobilisation of vocational schools and other eligible entities” for this support measure, which takes the form of non-repayable aid. 

At the meeting with associations representing vocational schools, other issues concerning vocational education and training in the Region were also addressed, given the growing student numbers and the strategic importance of this type of education for the employability of young people and adults, as well as for business productivity. 

Maria João Carreiro reiterated the Regional Government’s interest in maintaining “close, dialogue-based and cooperative governance” with vocational schools, which has resulted in public policies and financial instruments converging towards the “common goal” of dignifying, enhancing and modernising vocational education in the Azores.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU