- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Objectives
The Second opportunity programme, abbreviated as the 2O programme, is a socio-educational response to societal issues. It is designed and developed by schools, in collaboration with other entities and institutions, aiming at:
- fighting early leaving from education and training, providing young people with tailored training;
- closely monitoring socio-professional integration of young people and their autonomous development
Description
The 2O programme provides young early leavers from education and training, at risk of social exclusion, with training tailored to their needs, expectations, and specific interests, aligned with local labour market needs. Learners also benefit from monitoring of their socio-professional integration and autonomous development.
Each Second chance school develops its own pedagogical model and strategy, in close connection with the European network of second opportunity schools (European association of cities, institutions and second chance schools).
The programme targets young people over the age of 15, with no professional qualification and no job, who left school at least one year earlier. It has the following key aspects:
- the possibility of creating classes for excluded young people to attend either an integrated education and training programme (PIEF) or an education and training programme for adults (EFA programmes);
- the design and planning of a strategy, with the adoption of a personalised pedagogical model, which can support the gradual reintegration of beneficiaries in an education and training programme;
- the elaboration of an individual training plan, tailored to the interests and characteristics of each learner;
- the mandatory registration of excluded young people in a public school;
- the obligation to follow-up young people for up to two years after leaving the programme.
The 2O programme is implemented through a...
The 2O programme provides young early leavers from education and training, at risk of social exclusion, with training tailored to their needs, expectations, and specific interests, aligned with local labour market needs. Learners also benefit from monitoring of their socio-professional integration and autonomous development.
Each Second chance school develops its own pedagogical model and strategy, in close connection with the European network of second opportunity schools (European association of cities, institutions and second chance schools).
The programme targets young people over the age of 15, with no professional qualification and no job, who left school at least one year earlier. It has the following key aspects:
- the possibility of creating classes for excluded young people to attend either an integrated education and training programme (PIEF) or an education and training programme for adults (EFA programmes);
- the design and planning of a strategy, with the adoption of a personalised pedagogical model, which can support the gradual reintegration of beneficiaries in an education and training programme;
- the elaboration of an individual training plan, tailored to the interests and characteristics of each learner;
- the mandatory registration of excluded young people in a public school;
- the obligation to follow-up young people for up to two years after leaving the programme.
The 2O programme is implemented through a cooperation protocol among Directorate General of Educational Establishments (DGEstE), schools and the entities or institutions that collaborate with them.
The 2O programme was launched in 2019.
A network of 35 socio-educational agents, including schools, Qualifica centres, parish councils, health centres, and the child and youth protection system, is actively involved in the 2O programme. In 2020, there were four second chance schools, providing assistance to 200 young people.
On 11 December 2020, the third national meeting of second opportunity education initiatives was held.
The Association for Second Chance Education was created.
There were seven second chance schools, providing assistance to 300 young people.
On 4 May 2022, the fourth national meeting of second opportunity education initiatives was held.
The programme is operational and ran as regular practice
The programme is operational and ran as regular practice
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Education (Until April 2024)
- Directorate General for Educational Establishments (DGEstE)
- Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI)
Target groups
Learners
- Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
- Learners at risk of early leaving or/and early leavers
Thematic categories
Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation
Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.
This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.
This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.
This thematic sub-category refers to making VET pathways and programmes inclusive and accessible for all. It concerns measures and targeted actions to increase access and participation in VET and lifelong learning for learners from all vulnerable groups, and to support their school/training-to-work transitions. It includes measures to prevent early leaving from education and training. The thematic sub-category covers measures promoting gender balance in traditionally ‘male’ and ‘female’ professions and addressing gender-related and other stereotypes. The vulnerable groups are, but not limited to: persons with disabilities; the low-qualified/-skilled; minorities; persons of migrant background, including refugees; people with fewer opportunities due to their geographical location and/or their socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Second opportunity programme: Portugal. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/29182