- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
The Recovery and resilience plan (PRR) aims to implement reforms and investments to restore sustained economic growth, after the pandemic, reinforcing the objective of convergence with Europe over the next decade. Modernisation and (re)qualification of training centres is using investments in the construction of buildings and acquisition of training equipment to create the best operating conditions for citizens and providers, while responding to the emerging needs of the labour market; these are decisive factors for improving the social image of vocational training, its attractiveness and recognition as an effective response to the needs of companies and individuals. The VET agreement foresees the launch of a plan for the modernisation of IEFP vocational training centres in close dialogue with the social partners.
Objectives
- Strengthening the action of the public employment and vocational training services;
- Extending the territorial and sectorial coverage of the Institute for Employment and Vocational training (IEFP) vocational training centres network, to reduce territorial and sectorial imbalances and gaps, and ensure greater proximity to people, companies and the needs of the labour market;
- (Re)qualifying and modernise the IEFP training centres network, making vocational training more attractive;
- Diversifying the training areas considering current and emerging needs, providing the workshop spaces of the IEFP vocational training centres network with essential equipment for training practice, particularly high technological intensity, and including those supporting distance learning.
Description
In September 2021, the IEFP signed a financing agreement for the application of EUR 230 million with the Estrutura de Missão Recuperar Portugal, the body responsible for negotiating, contracting and monitoring the implementation of the national recovery plan, as part of the implementation of the investment Modernisation of the supply and of the educational and vocational training facilities.
The financing contract runs until 31 December 2025. It aims to provide 22 000 training workshop stations, integrated in laboratories, with the infrastructure, equipment, tools and materials necessary to develop high-quality vocational training, in line with the current and prospective demands of the labour market. This intervention will be implemented through the IEFP's network of training centres, 34 of which are directly managed and 24 of which are jointly managed. To broaden the territorial coverage, it is also planned to create five new training centres, one in each of the II NUTs. To increase the sectoral coverage, three new training centres will be created in the sectors of digital transition, green transition (environment, renewable energies and energy efficiency) and social economy.
These investments aim at modernising the existing laboratories and workshop spaces as well as new vocational training centres, besides modernising and increasing the quality of existing training. This is expected to open training to new areas, such as...
In September 2021, the IEFP signed a financing agreement for the application of EUR 230 million with the Estrutura de Missão Recuperar Portugal, the body responsible for negotiating, contracting and monitoring the implementation of the national recovery plan, as part of the implementation of the investment Modernisation of the supply and of the educational and vocational training facilities.
The financing contract runs until 31 December 2025. It aims to provide 22 000 training workshop stations, integrated in laboratories, with the infrastructure, equipment, tools and materials necessary to develop high-quality vocational training, in line with the current and prospective demands of the labour market. This intervention will be implemented through the IEFP's network of training centres, 34 of which are directly managed and 24 of which are jointly managed. To broaden the territorial coverage, it is also planned to create five new training centres, one in each of the II NUTs. To increase the sectoral coverage, three new training centres will be created in the sectors of digital transition, green transition (environment, renewable energies and energy efficiency) and social economy.
These investments aim at modernising the existing laboratories and workshop spaces as well as new vocational training centres, besides modernising and increasing the quality of existing training. This is expected to open training to new areas, such as wind and photovoltaic energy production, hydrogen production, energy efficiency, water technology and water efficiency, electric mobility, as well as industry 4.0: smart factories, aeronautics, digital commerce, gerontology, precision agriculture, and maritime-port equipment.
This measure is part of the NIP under the umbrella package Innovation and resilience.
Under the Decree-Law No 29-B/2021 of 4 May 2021 (Establishing the governance model for European funds allocated to Portugal through the recovery and resilience plan) in 2022, equipment and laboratories for training centres were acquired, resulting in the rehabilitation or creation of 6 781 training workshops in 47 vocational training centres: 13% in environment and energy transformation (laboratories of domotics and energy efficiency); 51% in the area of digital transformation (laboratories of graphic design, industry simulators, drones); 12% in the area of Industry 4.0 (industrial control, 3D printing, industrial robotics, mechatronics) and 24% in strong sectors of the Portuguese economy (metallurgy and metalomecanics, wood industry, IT industry, cork industry and fishery industry).
As part of the modernisation of existing structures, IEFP continued modernising laboratories and training workshops in digital, industry 4.0, and environmental areas. This modernisation makes the offer of new training fields (wind and photovoltaic energy production, hydrogen production, energy efficiency, electric mobility) possible. The total investment is EUR 16 898 747.00, benefiting 7 883 training workshops.
Two training centres have also been set up to diversify the training offered:
- The Energy Transition Training Centre to support a fair and equitable transition. This centre is the result of a partnership between the IEFP, the Energy Agency and the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association;
- The Entrepreneurship Academy - a training centre for entrepreneurship, management and leadership, through a protocol established between the IEFP, the Portuguese Entrepreneurs Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs.
A total of EUR 9 284 124.00 was invested in modernising existing structures, benefiting 7 440 training stations. At the same time, IEFP continues to modernise its training centres, making them more sustainable and greener.
New legislation extended the Entrepreneurship Academy to other sectors considered strategic for the national economy, namely the tourism, commerce and services sectors.
Bodies responsible
- Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
- Energy Agency (ADENE)
- Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN)
Target groups
Learners
- Learners in upper secondary, including apprentices
- Young people (15-29 years old)
- Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
- Learners with migrant background, including refugees
- Learners at risk of early leaving or/and early leavers
- Learners with disabilities
- Adult learners
Thematic categories
Modernising VET infrastructure
This thematic category looks at how VET schools and companies providing VET are supported to update and upgrade their physical infrastructure for teaching and learning, including digital and green technologies, so that learners in all VET programmes and specialities have access to state-of-the-art equipment and are able to acquire relevant and up-to-date vocational and technical skills and competences. Modernising infrastructure in remote and rural areas increases the inclusiveness of VET and LLL.
This thematic sub-category refers to measures for modernising physical infrastructure, equipment and technology needed to acquire vocational skills in VET schools and institutions that provide CVET or adult learning, including VET school workshops and labs.
This thematic sub-category focuses on establishing and upgrading to state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, equipment and technology, such as computers, hardware, connectivity and good broadband speed that should ensure quality and inclusive VET provision, especially in blended and virtual modes. It also includes specific measures to remove the digital divide, e.g. supporting geographically remote or rural areas to ensure social inclusion through access to such infrastructure for learning and teaching. It also includes support measures for learners from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to acquire the necessary equipment.
This thematic sub-category refers to initiatives where VET institutions or companies providing VET not only ‘teach’ about environmental and social sustainability but implement green and sustainable principles in their physical infrastructure, e.g. using renewable energy, applying organic agriculture on their premises, recycling, using learning and training materials sustainably, etc.
European priorities in VET
VET Recommendation
- VET as a driver for innovation and growth preparing for digital and green transitions and occupations in high demand
- VET as an attractive choice based on modern and digitalised provision of training and skills
Osnabrück Declaration
- Resilience and excellence through quality, inclusive and flexible VET
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Modernisation of the vocational training centres network of IEFP: Portugal. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/cs/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/43523