At the invitation of the Italian presidency of the EU Council, the Employment Incubator programme, an initiative developed by the Regional Government, was presented today in Rome as an example of goof European practice.
The presentation was made by the Regional Director for Employment and Vocational Training, Ilda Baptista, under conference on "Gender Equality in Europe: Unfinished Business?" that is taking place in Rome.
Ilda Baptista explained the goals and the operation of the Employment Incubator programme at a theme session that addressed the topic of Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth: promoting the inclusion of all women and men in life, work and society.
The session was attended by senior officials of the European institutions responsible for the areas of Gender Equality and Justice as well as by the Irish Minister for New Communities, Culture and Equality, Aodhán Ó Riordáin, and the President of the European Women's Lobby, Viviane Teitelbaum.
An Azorean initiative, the Employment Incubator programme was considered a good practice for promoting the transition of unemployed women to the labour market, through the temporary occupation of positions held by other women who are on maternity leave.
This initiative has covered 718 unemployed women since 2011. The recruitment rate of these women, after the completion of the programme, has been growing on an annual basis. In 2013, it reached 12 percent.