The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture assured that the Regional Government recognises the "great importance" of vocational training, stressing that it ensures that "every student brings from school what is essential," which is "a future and a life."

Avelino Meneses spoke Saturday in Arrifes at the ceremony for the delivery of diplomas to vocational training students and the awarding of the quality certificate to the School of the Office and Commerce Employees' Union of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The Regional Secretary emphasised the role of vocational training schools since the 1980s, when these educational structures was restored in Portugal. They have contributed to the recovery of "thousands and thousands of young people who had been affected by school failure and dropout."

In his speech, Avelino Meneses stressed that the Government of the Azores implemented ProSucesso in the beginning of this school year. The plan is intended to promote school success so that "all students may achieve academic success."

"In the society of globalisation, innovation and knowledge are the pillars of almost everything, such as, for example, of democracy and freedom," said the government official.

The government official recognised that the "priority areas" in the intervention of ProSucesso are "preschool and elementary school levels in order to tackle early delays in learning and prevent them from becoming irreversible." In this regard, Avelino Meneses stressed that "the terminal years of basic and secondary education also deserve special attention. The strategy to be adopted "consists in the diversification of paths, especially those directed to technological and vocational careers that will adequately prepare young people for their entry into the labour world."

"A personalised follow-up, the predominance of a practical component over a theoretical one, the coordination of these schools with the community, the opportunity for integration into the labour world and the possibility of pursuing higher education studies have transformed vocational training. Now, it awards an academic and professional certification in a path of success that goes far beyond the recovery of educational paths that were less successful," said the government official.

In this regard, the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stressed that "even secondary schools are also taking up vocational training experiences in the search for better solutions for the success of students and the progress of communities."

Today, at a time of compulsory education, schools have the duty to train scientists as well as professionals in other areas. These professionals will ensure the economic development and progress of society," said Avelino Meneses.