2024
Financial reward for graduates
Under Ordinance No. 67-A/2024, 22 February and Decree-Law No 134/2023, 28 December 2023, a programme for qualified young people was launched. This is aimed at encouraging people to acquire qualifications via a financial incentive to pursue a profession in Portugal. This rewards study in higher education and contributes to improving the incomes of qualified young people working in the country.
For more information, see Subchapter 14.4 National reforms in higher education.
2023
Creation of the Cyber Academia and Innovation Hub
The government created the Cyber Academia and Innovation Hub (CAIH), a non-profit association, via Decree-Law No. 34/2023, 23 May to encourage an alignment of interests between industry, the business community, higher education institutions and public administration, specifically the Ministry of Defence.
Focussed on implementing cybersecurity and cyber-defence policies associated with national security and defence, CAIH's mission is to act in the public interest, promoting training and exercises, as well as boosting research, development and innovation in the field of cyberspace. By doing so, it aims to support the national and international ecosystem with the knowledge and skills needed by a new generation of professionals, as well as supporting capabilities regarding cybersecurity and cyber-defence.
In addition to defence, CAIH includes bodies in other governmental areas, such as home affairs, justice, economy and the sea, education, science, technology, higher education and digitisation, and administrative modernisation.
Read here for more information.
"Border schools project" memorandum
On 15 March 2023, in Lanzarote, Portugal and Spain signed the "Border Schools Project" Memorandum, boosting bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The initiative, which targets young people, reflects values like exercising full citizenship, solidarity through cultural diversity and democratic debate, among others.
In doing so, both countries have made a joint investment in the educational, social and economic development of border territories, providing the local populations with quality education. This includes knowledge and skills associated with bilingualism and interculturalism, which are relevant to citizenship, further studies and employability in both countries.
Additional information about this project can be found in subchapter 14.2. National reforms in school education.
For more information about the Bilingual and Intercultural Schools Project "Border Schools" visit the DGE website.
Green skills and jobs programme
Green Jobs & Skills is a vocational training programme in the field of energy (Ordinance No. 21/2023, 6 January). Its strategic aim is to provide vocational training and retraining for workers at companies and other employers directly or indirectly affected by the increase in energy costs. In doing so, it seeks to reduce the risk of unemployment, promote job retention and creation, accelerating transition and energy efficiency.
Additional information about this project can be found in Subchapter 14.3. Reforms in Vocational Education and Training and Adult Education.
2022
The qualification for internationalisation programme
The "Qualification for Internationalisation" programme aims to ensure qualified human resources in the areas of internationalisation and international trade, as well as developing value chains in Portugal, specifically in micro, small and medium-sized companies, boosting the labour force’s professional skills. This programme is designed for citizens aged 18 or over, who wish to obtain vocational training in internationalisation and international trade. Each pathway will last a maximum of 350 hours, with autonomous certification.
Valorizar social programme
As part of the strategic partnership programme in conjunction with the organisations representing the social and solidarity sector, as defined by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, this vocational training and qualification programme was created to boost management and digital skills as an inclusive factor, as well as encouraging social institutions to develop and adapt to today’s world, responding to the new challenges that these kinds of institutions face on a daily basis.
With these objectives in mind, the "Valorizar Social" vocational training programme and the "Qualifica Social" partnership were constituted. These are designed for social bodies, managers and social institution workers, as well as the unemployed. In case of the latter, those not in employment can be trained to work in various social institutions, thus responding to new demands in management and finance, leadership and innovation.