In order to ensure the professional training of taxi drivers, the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures informs that the schedule for the training courses to take place in 2011 has been published.

19 training courses are scheduled for this year on the islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, Santa Maria, São Jorge, Graciosa and Flores, being carried out by NORMA Açores, the organisation accredited by the Government for this purpose and financed by the European Social Fund.

Every year, taxi drivers from various Azorean islands are provided with the opportunity of attending free training courses and, thus, obtain the respective Professional Aptitude Certificate. A total of 41 training courses have taken place, covering 831 Azorean taxi drivers in a total of 2800 hours.

One should remind that with the publication of Decree-Law no.263/98 of August 19, the Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP) for taxi drivers has become mandatory in order to better ensure the improvement of the quality of public passenger transport as well as the enhancement of safety in the respective vehicles.

The professional certification of Taxi Drivers – a process designed to certificate the skills suitable for the practice of taxi driving – aims to increase the quality of the service rendered in public passenger transport, either in the relationship between drivers and passengers, and their subsequent well-being, or in the road safety of taxis.
 
Applicants with experience in driving cars, who have additionally acquired the necessary skills through professional training, may be eligible to a CAP by attending a complementary professional training course –“Level 2” (with a minimum duration of 20 hours).

The theoretical and practical structure of the training course aims to enhance the acquisition of skills deemed necessary for the professional profile of taxi drivers in order to ensure the professional integration of trainees.

The geography of the territory; interpersonal communication and relations; technical English; and hygiene and safety in transport are some of the themes to be addressed in these training courses.