The President of the Government stated in Horta that the Azores Maritime School is a 4.5 million-Euro investment that will redevelop the old facilities of the Naval Radio on Faial Island. It falls under the coordinated strategy to exploit the potential of the Sea.

"I can announce that the Government will launch the public tender for the contract work for the 1st phase of the interventions to recover these infrastructures in the next Council of Government that will still meet this month," said Vasco Cordeiro.

This project will be divided into two phases, according to the location where the works will be carried out. The first phase will take place in the premises of the former Naval Radio. In turn, the second phase will be carried out near Horta Porto and is aimed at support buildings and activities that require a direct access to the sea. Both interventions will be carried out simultaneously.

Vasco Cordeiro stressed that this project, which is the fulfilment of a commitment, has met all the conditions to enter into a rapid phase of development in order to put the Azores Maritime School at the service of wealth and employment creation and professional development of Azorean citizens.

In his speech, the President of the Government stressed that this investment will redevelop the old Naval Radio facilities in Horta; the latter are a milestone in the city's history and have greatly contributed to the economic life of Faial Island.

"The strategy is to take advantage of the resources we have on all the islands of the archipelago by redirecting them to new purposes and putting them at the service of the Azorean population. That is what we are doing with the recovery of this infrastructure and its new uses that will serve a new purpose of the strategy developed to improve our relation with the Sea," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The Azores Maritime School has established partnerships with the Horta City Hall, the University of the Azores, through the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries and Infante D. Henrique Nautical School. This school will provide the Azores with a vocational training centre that will address the current needs in the Region regarding qualified human resources in this area. Moreover, this investment will also focus on the initial training of young people in occupations related to this sector.

"The areas of expertise of the Azores Maritime School were based on the assessment of the needs regarding skilled labour in traditional sectors as well as on the opportunities the Azores Sea offers to the development of other professions in emerging and future areas," stressed the President of the Government.
 
The training offer of the new school will primarily focus on professions related to fisheries and maritime transport of passengers and cargo, local traffic (masters and seafarers), naval repair and shipbuilding, maritime tourism activities and professional diving.

This vocational training school will operate in parallel teaching system. It will be integrated into the regional education system under the terms of the Statute of Private Education and Cooperative School Establishments.

"We also want to turn it into an international school, with capacity to attract foreign students who are interested in traditional and emerging professions related to the sea. This will contribute to the revitalisation of the economy of Faial and the Azores," said Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government also pointed out that this investment is of important not only to the island of Faial, but also to the entire region. It is a key element in a coherent and coordinated strategy to harness the potential of the Azores Sea.

"The island of Faial and the remaining islands are testimony of this strategic option and its results, such as the construction of the first phase of the Horta Passenger Terminal and the construction of two new vessels to operate in this area of the archipelago," said Vasco Cordeiro.

"If take into account the figures regarding 2014, there was an increase of 26 thousand passengers and 5,400 transported vehicles, compared to the previous year. The data evidence that we have chosen the right strategy and that the local community has clearly shown its full adherence to its benefits," said the President of the Government.

In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro added that these signs evidence the recovery that is taking place in the Region and are becoming visible in several areas, such as the case of the tourism sector.