The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology defended in Ribeira Grande that the image of the fishers and the sector "should be synonymous with poverty as it is a respectable occupation like many others," stressing that training is "a lever to develop the economy in the area of fisheries."
 
With double certification courses, through which trainees ensure their professional certification in the Fisher category while completing their education, the Regional Government to "create a new generation of more qualified fishers," noted Gui Menezes.
 
The Regional Secretary spoke Tuesday during a visit to the trainees enrolled in Basic Skills Acquisition (ABC) courses promoted by the Valorizar Network for fishers. This initiative stems from a partnership between the Vice-Presidency of the Government, through the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training, and the Regional Secretariat for the Sea, Science and Technology through the Regional Directorate for Fisheries. Moreover, it falls within the Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion.
 
Gui Menezes stressed that the initiative is "one of the priorities of the Government Programme" in the area of fisheries as it represents an investment "in vocational training and the qualification of fishers."
 
"This goal has been accomplished to bring more training and dignity to the fishing occupation," the government official said, adding that "being a fisher is nowadays more demanding."
 
"We need to qualify our professionals so that the sector may achieve more development and bring more income to fishers, allowing them to have a better life," said Gui Menezes. He spoke to more than six dozen trainees attending the ABC courses, which started in December and end in May, covering three levels of schooling.
 
The Regional Secretary stated that these courses "are a joint effort from various entities," including associations such as Sete Mares, praising the trainees who "had the courage to return to classrooms to learn more and receive their professional fisher certification."
 
"Eventually, you may obtain certification as local fishing vessel skipper to replace your parents and grandparents in future fishing activities, which will bring you a more dignified life," said the government official
 
Gui Menezes also recalled that these double certification courses have already provided training to about a hundred professionals on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira, defending, therefore, that it is a "fruitful investment."
 
Under these courses, the students who complete the 6th or 9th forms will have access to their professional Fisher certification. Additionally, those who complete the 9th form will also be awarded priority status in the selection for exam in the Local Fishing Vessel Skipper category.