Azores Entrepreneurship programme supported unemployed people in the creation of 52 new companies
The Vice-President of the Government revealed today that the Azores Entrepreneurship programme, an innovative project at national level, supported and monitored the creation of 52 new companies by 52 unemployed people, thus "turning difficult situations into new business opportunities."
Sérgio Ávila stressed that this programme "allowed unemployed people to create their businesses and create jobs, through the provision of training, monitoring of business activity and the creation incentive schemes."
The Vice-President spoke to journalists in Ponta Delgada, where he visited one of the 25 projects already implemented, an investment of 180 thousand Euros in catering sector that created seven new permanent jobs under the Youth Entrepreneurship sub-programme.
Beyond the "specific business training," provided to the unemployed, the monitoring of the implementation of new business is of "utmost importance."
Sérgio Ávila highlighted the current dynamics and rejuvenation of the Azorean business sector, proven by presentation of 507 new private projects to the new Racing + incentive scheme, representing 204 million Euros of private investment.
Bering in mind the positive results of the programme and highlighting the courage and entrepreneurial capacity of the promoters of investment projects, the Vice-President of the Government announced its continuity in 2017.
Under the designation "Undertaking My Business," the programme will maintain the same methodology, increasing the training period for 80 hours and strengthening the links with the Azores Business Incubator Network.
Under the Azores Entrepreneurship programme, a total of 18 training activities were carried out, covering 289 trainees. It contributed to the creation of 52 new companies.
The companies created resorted to several measures provided by the Government of the Azores, namely to Microcredit, support to the creation of Self Employment - CPE Premium and Competir + incentive scheme.
The areas with the highest adherence were as follows: services (30%), trade (20%), catering (19%) and tourism (15%).
The Azores Entrepreneurship programme, developed by the Vice-Presidency of the Government in partnership with Cresaçor, has three phases.
In the first phase, the training sessions have a workload of 60 hours, during which subjects are taught in the context of entrepreneurial attitudes and management skills. It culminates in the development of a business plan.
In the second phase and for a period of up to six months, the programme monitors the development of a business plan model, the search for funding sources and creation of the company.
The third and final phase, which lasts 12 months, involves the support to business management in order to ensure the success of companies in its implementation phase.