Africa-Press – Cape verde. Vocational training has been the path chosen by many young people, including several with higher education, as a “fast path” to get a job and earn income. For the president of the Association of Private Vocational Training Schools and Centers, Ana Reis, the technical path is fundamental for any country that wants to be developed.
The Association of Private Vocational Training Schools and Centres, created in 2020, aims to give more visibility to professional technical training, which, according to its president, Ana Reis, has played an extremely important role, despite the fact that there is still a gap regarding its dissemination.
Another objective is, as he said, to “deconstruct” the existing idea that vocational training is a path for those who cannot complete a higher education course or have little income.
“Many young people are already thinking differently, not least because professional training has been a credible alternative. If we look at it, the most developed countries are betting more on professional training”, said the official, pointing out examples such as the United States, Germany, Switzerland and even the Canary Islands, all of which have “a development that is not serious, thanks to a strong commitment and massification”. of professional training”.
According to our interviewee, who is also the president of the Professional Institute of Technologies and Arts (EPTARTES), nowadays there are several cases of young people who, even with a degree, spend years without getting a job, but who then undergo professional training, manage to enter the job market almost immediately.
“We have examples of that. Young people with three, four, another seven years of unemployment, after graduating. They did professional training and after a year and a half they are in place and are already part of the staff, both at the public and private level”, he maintained.
viable alternative
As far as EPT ARTES is concerned, he says that they have been doing publicity work, so that young people understand vocational training as a credible alternative.
On the other hand, it calls for greater involvement of the public sector and consultation with the private sector, in order to further develop professional training.
“Although there is a little more sensitivity in this government, there is still a need to massify more, provide training and eliminate the complex that whoever is doing professional training is because they have not found a scholarship, have no money or have not been able to leave the country”, defends.
Training, he says, is usually more practical and immediate when it comes to getting a job. “Currently, according to a study carried out, around 70 to 80% of young people who attend vocational training enter the job market right away. It is a very big achievement for a small country, with more than 30% of young people unemployed”, he says.
For this very reason, he says, the Government should pay more attention to the sector, if it really wants to take young people off the streets, reduce unemployment and lead the country to develop at a faster pace.
Employability and own business
According to the same source, young people who undergo vocational training have some facilities, insofar as they are able to develop their own employment, with technical skills acquired in training.
“Those who don’t have a more entrepreneurial side look for work with third parties. But, above all, at the level of entrepreneurship, it has been clear that the overwhelming majority of young people who are undertaking are those who have undergone professional training ”, she considers.
That is why, as he says, there is already a concern to introduce modules on entrepreneurship and innovation, project management, applied computing, commercial law, business management and human resources, among others, into the courses, which provide tools for setting up a business and have the most peaceful relationship possible with its employees.
new academic year
As well as the education sector, schools and training centers are starting a new academic year, although with training courses that vary in duration, which can be three months or even one or two years.
“All private schools are already prepared to start activities on September 2nd, and normally, the dynamics go hand in hand with universities and also secondary education”, he explained.
The most sought after areas, according to Ana Reis, have been the area of services, information and communication technologies, hotels, restaurants and tourism, which has a “very comprehensive market”.
The Association of Private Vocational Training Schools and Centers currently has 18 associate members, in a universe of around 50 schools across the country.
Even so, it is represented on all the islands in the country, with the highest number in Santiago, São Vicente and Sal.
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