2026

Over 400 technology centres to strengthen vocational education

Substantial measures are currently underway to strengthen and enhance vocational education in Portugal, with the creation of over 400 Specialised Technology Centres (CTE) in schools across the country. The CTE, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), represent an investment of almost €500 million and are expected to be completed by March 2026. 

The centres aim to foster innovation and excellence in secondary education, ensuring practical and technological training aligned with the needs of the labour market: of businesses, communities and regions; and with the challenges of digital transformation, particularly in the areas of virtual reality and intelligent robotics. They also promote links between schools, the business sector and the community, fostering technical skills, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit among young people.

For more information on CTE, see below (2024).

2025

Methodology for updating and designing the qualifications in the National Qualifications Catalogue

As part of the thorough process of improvement of the National Qualifications Catalogue (NQC) the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) has been carrying out, in early September the methodology for updating and designing qualifications in the NQC was published. This publication presents the methodology for updating the NQC and the design of qualifications in more detail, adopting European recommendations in the field of education and training, which are essential for the transparency and recognition of qualifications at European and international levels.

These changes fulfil the NQC's objectives since its creation, by structuring qualifications into units of competence, which are based on and described in terms of learning outcomes. The units of competence do not have associated time workload. They rather establish learning outcomes that need to be developed and/or demonstrated, as well as performance criteria that serve the purpose of standardising the assessment of these competences. The main feature of this methodology is that it establishes the competency framework as the core element for structuring qualifications in their technological component.

Approximately €17 million to promote Education and Training Courses (CEF) for young people

Two calls for proposals have been launched to support the development of Education and Training Courses (CEF) for young people, conferring level 2 qualifications under the National Qualifications Framework in the 2025/2026 school year, with an indicative total budget of over €17 million. 

Applications may be submitted by public schools, public and private vocational schools, and private and cooperative schools. They are aimed at young people aged 15 or over who are at risk of dropping out of school or who are no longer in education. Included in the range of dual certification courses, these CEF courses offer programmes tailored to young people seeking practical, technical education that is more closely linked to the labour market, without compromising their general education. 

The main objective of the Demography, Qualifications and Inclusion Thematic Programme is the full and successful inclusion of all young people in the school system, while also contributing to reduce early school leaving. The Programme aims to support 75 000 participants in basic skills training by 2029, an indicator to which this training offer also contributes.

2024

Specialised Technology Centres (CTE)

Created to improve vocational education and speed up the implementation of the funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for the specialised technology centres (CTE) in schools, the ministers for education, science and innovation and territorial cohesion began a series of meetings with school boards and municipalities to implement the specialised technology centres.

The investment aims to re-equip and consolidate the technological infrastructure of schools offering vocational education, as well as updating the training provision, so it aligns with the economy’s changing needs. The project will boost students' interest in upper secondary level dual certification training in sectors that require highly qualified labour and increase the number of young graduates in new areas.

As part of the RRP, a final target of 365 ETCs by December 2025 has been set, with an intermediate target of 310 ETCs by March.

For more information, visit the specialised technological centres website.