The Regional Director for Employment and Professional Qualification stated in Ponta Delgada that the data published by the Institute for Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) "demonstrate the path registered by the Azores in recent years towards a significant reduction in the number of unemployed."
 
Paula Andrade spoke at the end of a visit to a travel agency under the CPE-Premium programme, which intends to help the beneficiaries of unemployment benefits to create their own employment. On the occasion, she pointed that," according to IEFP, there was a decrease of 11.1% in unemployment in the Azores in December compared to the same period last year."
 
"The decline in the number of unemployed in November represents 959 fewer unemployed in comparison with the previous year," the Regional Director said, adding that 7,697 people were registered in search of the first or a new job."
 
Regarding the responses to job offers, Paula Andrade revealed that "there was an increase of about 46.5% in December last year compared to December 2017."
 
"As for new job requests, the growth stands at 29.5%," the Regional Secretary said, stressing that "the creation of more and better paid jobs and the promotion of entrepreneurship and economic activity are priorities for the Azorean Government."