The University of Algarve (UAlg), alongside the Algarve's Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), the Directorate-General for School Establishments (DGEsTE), and several School Groups in the region, convened this Monday (July 14th) to strengthen efforts in youth qualification. The goal is to increase enrollments in Higher Technical Professional Courses (CTeSP), supported by European funds through the ALGARVE 2030 Regional Program.
Empowering human resources through education and training is a key driver for economic growth. In a context where the Algarve needs to enhance human resource qualifications, especially with more higher education offerings, this partnership aims to surpass the current 290 students per academic year in CTeSP aligned with the Regional Smart Specialization Strategy (EREI Algarve 2030), targeting 400 students annually supported by the ALGARVE 2030 Regional Program.
This collaborative effort addresses the qualification deficit, which hampers economic diversification and the capacity to meet digital and climate transition challenges. Promoting higher education, particularly through vocational pathways like CTeSP, is thus a strategic priority.
Since the inception of CTeSP in 2015/16, UAlg has been consolidating and expanding its educational offerings, focusing on EREI Algarve 2030 priority areas such as Tourism, Marine Economy, Health, Environmental Sustainability, and Digital Technologies.
Significant progress has been made:
- From 5 EREI-aligned CTeSP in 2019/20, UAlg now offers 13 courses (2024/25), with 15 expected next academic year (2025/26).
- First-year enrollments surged from 78 (2019/20) to 231 (2024/25), a growth of over 250%.
- Total CTeSP students (including those supported by ALGARVE 2030 and aligned with EREI) rose from 163 to 424 in the same period, projected to reach 460 by 2025/26.
- Offerings, once limited to Penha Campus, now extend to Gambelas Campus and Portimão.
Yet, ambitions run higher.
All courses include mandatory internships, ensuring strong ties with regional business needs and graduate employability.
The ALGARVE 2030 Regional Program supports CTeSP to boost higher education rates among youth, focusing on EREI Algarve's strategic domains that contribute to economic diversification or address societal challenges. A new Call for Applications is slated for October, aiming to back higher education institutions legally qualified to offer CTeSP.
This initiative seeks to solidify progress and mobilize resources and partnerships for better youth qualifications in the Algarve, strengthening the link between education and the regional economy.
Investing in short-cycle higher qualifications is pivotal for the region's economic and social transformation, fostering smart specialization based on knowledge, innovation, and real labor market needs.
José Apolinário, CCDR Algarve President, emphasizes, "Youth qualification is a regional imperative. To compete and tackle digital and climate transitions, we need more qualified youth, aligned with territorial and business needs. CTeSP is a strategic response, and European funds managed under the 2030 Regional Program aim precisely to support this qualification bet."
This investment clearly bets on youth training, combating inequalities, and valuing the Algarve's economic potential.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!