The Regional Director for Employment, Vocational Training and Consumer Defence delivered in Ponta Delgada various participation certificates and diplomas of Portuguese as a Foreign Language to European youngsters that did a five-month traineeship in the Azores under the programme of the Assembly of European regions, Eurodyssey. 
On the occasion, Rui Bettencourt, who is also the Secretary-General of the programme, stressed the importance of Eurodyssey which, even after its inception (25 years ago), continues to demonstrate “a great strength.”
The Regional Director also highlighted the fact that this programme is “emblematic” and the first in Europe to organise professional traineeships.
“Eurodyssey is not only the most emblematic, but also the oldest and most efficient mobility programmes of which the Assembly of European Regions is more proud,” underlined the Regional Director.
The “very positive balance” made by trainees was another aspect highlighted by Rui Bettencourt, who added that some even desire to stay in the Azores.
There are currently 44 Azorean youngsters doing traineeships in various European regions, following the principle of reciprocity, in diverse areas such as tourism, architecture, fine arts, social work, journalism, biology and psychology.
Rui Bettencourt urged youngsters returning to their regions to become “ambassadors of the Azores.”
This second group was made up of trainees aged between 18 and 30 years from Spanish regions.