Terceira Tech Island is already national reference and structuring pillar in the development of the island and the Azores
The Vice-President of the Government stated in Praia da Vitória that "Terceira Tech Island" is a "reference project in the national context," noting that the initiative promoted by the Azorean Government is "one of the most important hubs for employment creation and wealth generation" in the Region.
"This is and will be, undoubtedly, a fundamental and structuring pillar in the development of Terceira and the Azores," said Sérgio Ávila, who accompanied the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, in the visit to the companies already installed under this project.
According to the Vice President, the demand for "Terceira Tech Island" by national and international companies "has far exceeded the expectations."
"As you have seen, we are here to work for the world. We have visited a number of companies operating on a global scale that have already won international awards for the quality of programming," said Sérgio Ávila, who spoke to journalists at the end of the visit.
Considering that this was an "immensely successful" project, as demonstrated by the companies installed and the quality of programmers, the government reiterated the need to anticipate the initial training planning.
"We have to double and triple the next training sessions, considering the companies that will be established on the island and those already installed that intend to increase their staff," said the government official.
"These students who will complete the course within a month and a half have already been contacted by, at least, three companies," the Vice-President for Employment and Business Competitiveness stated, noting that the demand for programmers by companies "is higher than those we have managed to train."
In addition to highlighting the exceedingly high employability rate, Sérgio Ávila stated that, currently, the biggest challenge "is not to attract companies, but rather to train programmers to meet the current demand."
In this context, the government official challenged Azoreans to join programming, a career that he considered to ensure a "stable and well-paid job with a great future."
The Government of the Azores foresees the creation of about 220 direct jobs by the end of 2019 and this figure is expected to reach close to 400 by the end of 2020 under "Terceira Tech Island" project.