The Vice-President of the Government announced in Praia da Vitória that the Government has approved the opening of 37 new courses at regional vocational training schools in the next school year.

Speaking Wednesday at the awarding ceremony of diplomas to the graduates of Praia da Vitória Vocational Training School, Sérgio Ávila stressed that this measure widens the professional options and the "number of Azorean students who can attend initial vocational training courses."

As for the organisation of courses for the provision of skills to unemployed workers, promoted by Vocational Training Schools, Sérgio Ávila revealed that 49 "Reativar" courses will open as well as three technological specialisation courses and two post-secondary training courses.

According to the Vice-President, this measure "will ensure the activities developed by vocational training schools, reinforcing their operation and, simultaneously, improve the skill level of unemployed workers," either those with a basic education diploma (9th form) or with a secondary school diploma (12th form).

Of these 49 courses, 41 courses, with two-year duration, will provide dual certification and the remaining eight only provide a basic education diploma (9th form).

Mentioned by Sérgio Ávila as an "innovative measure implemented by the Azorean Government," the "Reativar" courses support the professional reconversion of unemployed workers to other activity areas, including the tourism and agricultural sectors and without detriment to the option for other occupations that generate self-employment, such plumber, confectioner, seamstress/dressmaker, paver or electrician.

The Vice-President of the Government of the Azores congratulated all those who received the course diplomas for this "achievement" and wished them success them in the "next stages" of their professional and personal lives.