The Regional Secretary for Labour and Social Solidarity stressed today the vocational training and professional qualification policies undertaken by the Government of the Azores, considering them as "fundamental" for improving employability.

Speaking at the opening of the "Feira de Emprego: Profissionais de Futuro" (Employment Fair: Professionals with Future) in Vila Franca, which she attended on behalf of the President of the Government, Ana Paula Marques said that the promotion of vocational training and professional qualification is "the right path."

In this context, the Regional Secretary recalled that number of young graduates employed by regional companies has grown from 8,938 to13, 474 over the last three years and this is "a positive factor." The government official added that the Regional Government has done everything within its reach to tackle the current difficulties, recalling the 24 measures envisaged by the Programme for the Promotion of Employment and Competitiveness, the "Reativar" programme and the Basic Skills courses for the unemployed with low qualifications.

Only last year, over 22 thousand Azorean benefited from Pro-Emprego, which covers vocational training, professional qualification, reconversion of the unemployed and the integration of people in a particular vulnerable situation. According to the government official, this programme has enhanced "the qualification of our human resources."

For Ana Paula Marques, "the most competitive companies, the best companies are those that take good care of their human resources, which represents increased competitive and, consequently, more growth."

At the end of the session, the government official praised the work carried out by Vila Franca do Campo Vocational Training School, which offers seven "reativar" courses. There are currently 400 students enrolled at this school.