Professional Integration Programme for trainees registered over one hundred applications
The Vice-President of the Government conveyed today his satisfaction with the large number of applications for the support measures under the Professional Integration Programme of "Estagiar L" and "Estagiar T" programmes (PIIE). This programme was created in mid-February.
"This innovative measure, which is included in the Azorean Agenda for Employment Creation and Business Competitiveness, has an auspicious and motivating start, thus justifying the assumptions that have led to its implementation," Sérgio Ávila stressed, noting that 102 applications for this professional integration programme were submitted by companies and other organisations where youngsters have undertaken their traineeships.
The Vice-President recalled that PIIE provides financial support to companies and other organisations that hire trainees after the completion of the traineeship programme.
With this measure, which entered into force on February 19, the Government intends to "significantly contribute to business development, boost the competitiveness of companies and increase levels of employability in order to achieve a sustainable development of Azorean economy."
Companies and organisations eligible for this support measure will be allocated a monthly support for 11 months. The amount awarded to companies that hire trainees under "ESTAGIAR L" is stipulated at 500 Euros per month for the first semester and 250 Euros for the second semester. In the case of "ESTAGIAR T," the amount is set at 350 Euros for the first semester and 250 Euros during the second semester.
In addition, the support awarded may be increased by 50% if the entity hires the trainee during the traineeship period, except in the cases when the trainee is hired in the last three months of the traineeship.
In order to benefit from this support measure, companies should stipulate the gross monthly wage at a minimum of 700 Euros in the case of trainees hired under "ESTAGIAR L" and at a minimum of 509.25 Euros for trainees hired under "ESTAGIAR T."
"This is not just an important incentive for the business sector, but it is also a strategy to combat the early withdrawal of youngsters from the labour market and encourage their full integration," stated Sérgio Ávila.
For the Vice-President of the Government, "these incentives also aim to encourage the hiring of qualified human resources with the purpose of increasing job matching for the benefit of our economic activity, i.e., the placement of the right person in the right job. In this context, the traineeship programmes in conjunction with PIIE may help accomplishing this goal."
Applications for Professional Integration Programme of "Estagiar L" and "Estagiar T" programmes (PIIE) can be made at the following electronic address www.estagiar.azores.gov.pt. The application period for the submission of applications regarding traineeships completed on March 31 has already started.