Government of the Azores extends SME Training programme to tourism leisure activities
The Regional Government has decided to extend the SME Training programme to companies working in the area of tourism leisure.
For the Vice-President of the Government, this amendment, published in the Official Journal today "is intended to improve the operating conditions of this programme and render it more comprehensive regarding the allocation of support to micro, small and medium-sized companies in the Region."
"Being part of an economic sector that is still dependent on seasonal demand, which requires special attention, from now on companies working in the area of tourism leisure will have the opportunity of benefiting from this measure to help them facing the periods of lower demand," said Sérgio Ávila.
SME Training is a programme that provides vocational training to workers whose contracts have been suspended or with reduced working hours.
During this training programme, the Regional Government will finance companies in an amount equal to 30% of the compensation paid to each worker.
The SME Training programme covers the areas that are more dependent on seasonal demand - such as tourism, restaurant sector and traditional commerce - or those most affected by a cyclical reduction in demand, such as the case of the construction sector.
"With this measure, implemented in October, we have supported companies in these sectors so that workers can keep their jobs in times of lower demand and, therefore, we intend to discourage seasonal unemployment by promoting employment stability," said Sérgio Ávila.
For the Vice-President of the Government, "SME Training is an opportunity for companies to improve the quality of their staff and boosting their competitiveness in the context of regional economy; this measure also encourages the maintenance of legal employment relations and allows workers to enhance their skills."