The Regional Director for Employment and Vocational Training highlighted in Ponta Delgada the importance of the Region's participation in the Eurodyssey programme, stressing that it makes it provides young Azoreans and those applying for a traineeship in the archipelago with the opportunity to contact with other professional and socio-cultural realities.
Speaking at the welcoming of a group of 39 young people from several European countries, Paula Andrade pointed out that, "according to the latest survey on young Azoreans who completed the Eurodyssey traineeship, 72% are currently employed."
Since 2013, more than 130 young Azoreans have taken a traineeship under this programme in several European regions, while 274 young people from other European countries, both within and outside the European Community, have chosen the Azores for their traineeship.
Over the next five months, the Government of the Azores, through the Vice-Presidency, provides the 39 participants with a monthly scholarship, a Portuguese Language and Culture course, and a practical traineeship in a regional organisation.
Practical traineeships will be held in several areas, such as audiovisual and design, biology and nature conservation, culture and early childhood education, law, communication, advertising and public relations, hospitality and catering.
According to the Regional Director, these traineeships, which will take place in 26 entities located on S. Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, Faial and Corvo, will also bring "added value for the development of the local business fabric."
In terms academic qualifications and training, 24 of the trainees hold a Master's degree, 14 hold a bachelor degree and one holds a vocational training diploma.
The young people, aged between 18 and 30, come from the regions of Cantabria, Catalonia, Valencian Community (Spain), Île-de-France, Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne and Picardie (France), Brussels Capital (Belgium), Istria (Croatia) and Umbria (Italy).
The Eurodyssey Programme promotes the participation of young people holding vocational training or higher education qualifications, aged between 18 and 30, in professional traineeships in the countries represented at the Assembly of European Regions (ARE).