Sérgio Ávila emphasises good results in improving the skill levels of Azorean unemployed
The Vice-President of the Government conveyed today his satisfaction with the results achieved in the implementation of the actions to combat the low qualification level of many Azorean unemployed.
Sérgio Ávila reminded that this is a strategy developed by the Government with the aim of "enhancing the employability of Azorean unemployed and, consequently, their possibility of earning better salaries." In this context, the government official underlined that, following the creation of the programme for the Acquisition of Basic Skills (ABC) in February 2013, it was possible to improve the academic and professional qualifications of many unemployed.
"Since that date, a total of 90 courses have been conducted, covering a total of 1,800 people whose average age stands at 37 years. The beneficiaries of this initiative had the opportunity of completing the 4th form or the 6th form.
Sérgio Ávila noted that "the Government has invested about one million Euros in these courses, but it was not just the Government's investment; it was also an investment that also carried out by the Azoreans who were involved in this project."
The Regional Government is also satisfied with the fact that "45% of the people who successfully completed the 4th form" have decided to "invest in themselves" by enrolling the next level, 6th form, on their own initiative.
"We can proudly say that the municipalities of Povoação, Nordeste, Velas, Calheta, Lagoa, Angra do Heroísmo and Madalena have not registered any unemployed with academic qualifications under the 6th form in recent months," said the government official.
This measure has allowed the creation of jobs for elementary and middle school teachers who were registered at the Employment Agencies of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. "Currently, the number of qualified teachers to teach ABC courses who are still unemployed is minimal."
The Vice-President announced that the Government of the Azores will promote another 125 actions this year, which are expected to comprise more than 2,500 people in a project that represents an investment of 1.5 million Euros. In addition to the current training levels, this initiative intends to implement a pilot-project consisting of three classes to provide the unemployed with basic education certification - 9th form.
Speaking at the delivery ceremony of diplomas to the one hundred trainees that have completed ABC courses held on the island of Terceira, Sérgio Ávila took the opportunity to mention several governmental measures designed to enhance employability.
In this context, the government official revealed that "Família Estável" (Stable Family) programme has supported the professional integration of at least one member of the 233 unemployed couples in the employed measures developed under this initiative.
The measures to stimulate the hiring of unemployed workers have led to the creation of 952 jobs in 2013, a goal that was achieved thanks to several programmes developed by the Government of the Azores. In this context, the programmes "Integra+" and "Intregra StartUp" have supported the professional integration of 265 people and 85 people, respectively. Additionally, a total of 52 people have been able to create their own job with the support of the "CPE-Premium" programme. Finally, with the largest percentage, the Professional Integration Programme for Trainees - PIIE has placed a total of 550 youngsters holding a university degree or a vocational training diploma in the labour market.
The courses held under "Reativar Technological" and "Reativar School" programmes started in 2013, covering a total of 1,344 unemployed. This initiative has supported the technological qualification of its beneficiaries and gave them the opportunity of completing the 9th and 12th forms.
The "Recuperar" programme comprised a total of 757 unemployed who were no longer receiving unemployment benefits and assured them a monthly income which, according to their academic qualifications, ranged from 510 Euros to almost 764 Euros.
Specifically addressed at the recipients of the Social Integration Income, the "FIOS" programme has sought to develop the social skills of about 600 people and instilled on them working habits that, for some reason, have been lost or have never been learned. This programme is expected to cover 800 people in 2014.
Sérgio Ávila revealed that the first courses held under the "Agir-Agricultura/Agir-Indústria" will start next month. This project is "an innovative experience regarding employment measures that combines high quality training with a professional traineeship in a real work context and it also includes an incentive to the hiring of trainees."
The first economic area to be tested will be cattle farming; however, other important areas for regional economy are already under study, such as horticulture and the diary industry.
For Sérgio Ávila, the Government has done everything within its reach to promote the employability of Azorean unemployed, investing in "measures to create employment and promote business competitiveness. In this context, the qualification of workers and companies are fundamental factors in the revitalisation of our economy by rendering it more sustainable and improving its capacity of bringing a better and safer future for all Azoreans."