The Regional Director for Employment and Vocational Training stated in Horta that the latest employment data published by the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) showed a decline of more than 11% in the Azores. The number of people registered in employment centres also dropped in March compared to the same month of 2018.
"According to information from IEFP, there was a decrease of 11.5% in regional unemployment in February compared to the same period last year," Paul Andrade said, noting that "the decline represents 988 fewer unemployed than in the previous year."
"These figures evidence the remarkable evolution of the labour market with the decrease of unemployment," added the Regional Secretary, who spoke on the sidelines of the second session of "Open Days - Youth Employment."
As of late March, the Regional Agencies for Qualification and Employment registered 7,624 unemployed searching for the first or new job.
The Regional Director presented the youth employment programmes and measures at this event. On the occasion, she noted "the increase of job placements over the same month of last year," highlighting the economic growth under way in the Azores.
In March, the job placement ratio, that is, the response to job offers at the Agencies for Qualification and Employment of the Azores stood at 91.2%.
Paula Andrade mentioned that the "Open Days - Youth Employment" initiative aims to "reinforce the regional Government's commitment to training and improving the skills of young people to boost their employability."
"We are focusing on active employment policies that privilege work contracts of indefinite duration," the government official said, adding that this is latest measure created by the Regional Government to combat youth unemployment.
The "Open Days - Youth Employment" session that takes place today in Horta is being attended by more than 200 young people, who have the opportunity to contact with the companies represented at the event as well as with entrepreneurs.
The first "Open Day" took place on Terceira Island at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Centre on April 2 and the next event will take place on São Miguel Island at Pavilhão do Mar (Sea Pavilion) in Ponta Delgada on May 6.