In São Salvador, Portugal, the Ílhavo School Group, is using funds from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to harmonise its curriculum with the ever-evolving workforce demands. Part of the wider Cursos Profissionais initiative, this is an operation of strategic importance for Portugal, enhancing the skill levels of young learners and aligning education with future workforce requirements.

The school's curriculum is intensely practical, encompassing professional catering, cooking, baking, programming, computer systems management, and sports. Such courses are meticulously crafted to prepare students for the dynamic job market, enhancing their employability prospects. 

This strategy has proved successful, as evidenced by over 43% of the school's secondary students enrolling in professional dual certification courses. This shift underscores the growing appeal of vocational training.

João Semedo, the Vice-Mayor of Ílhavo, lauded the impact of the reforms: ‘These courses are vitally important when tailored to local needs, and Ílhavo is a prime example. The training will address the specific demands of the municipality's business environment, strengthening the connection between local industry and the education system.’

State of the art teaching and training

Since 2014, the school has benefitted from ESF/ESF+ funding, which has been instrumental in broadening its vocational education offer and strengthening industry partnerships. The school currently boasts over 40 traineeship agreements with local companies, providing students with valuable practical experience and ensuring that training programmes meet the specific needs of employers.

Moreover, through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the school is set to upgrade its digital and technological infrastructure, further enhancing the effectiveness of practical learning, especially in technology-oriented fields.

The Ílhavo School Group also stands out as a reference school for students with hearing impairments, offering specialised Portuguese Sign Language (PSL) support and promoting PSL education among all students, staff, and the local community.

A crucial part of the school's reforms is its alignment with the European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training (EQAVET) framework. This shows the school's commitment to high educational standards and tackling early school leaving. 

With an investment of 1.5 billion euro under the Pessoas 2030 programme, ESF+ funding is poised to support over 350 000 vocational training students in Portugal. This investment underlines the long-standing commitment to vocational training in Portugal, fostering a skilled and adaptable workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.