The vocational training component is interesting and would be useful, but the financial compensation offered by the Government is insufficient to attract entrepreneurs. The Algarve Training program was presented this Tuesday in Faro, in a session aimed at businessmen that attracted few people and left many doubts about the capacity of those interested in meeting the deadlines for applications, foreseen for the end of October.
The session that took place in the auditorium of the Algarve Regional Tourism Authority focused on the training component of this programme, which also includes subsidies for those who extend term contracts, increased for those who turn them into contracts without a fixed term. In total, there are 5 million at the disposal of Algarve businessmen from different areas of activity.
Support that is always associated with a training component, which is also subsidized by the State. The problem lies in the levels of reimbursement of salaries that the State proposes, whose maximum limit is 460 euros per month, over six months, for contracts renewed for a minimum period of one year. In addition, entrepreneurs will have to pay Social Security contributions for supported workers, on the full amount of their salary.
For the president of the Algarve Hotels and Touristic Enterprises Association (AHETA), who after the presentation of the program in September, warned that it would have little adhesion, «it seems that the State wants to make money with the entrepreneurs», with the conditions it offers.
“It's not worth talking about the co-payment percentage, even if it goes up to 70 percent. What matters is the limit of 1,1 Index of Social Support (IAS), which is 460 euros», considered Elidérico Viegas.
For the president of AHETA, the measure would be interesting and even fair if “the financial support was equivalent to the unemployment benefit that workers would receive and exempt from contributions on that amount”. "Entrepreneurs paid the difference and contributions on that difference," he suggested. Elidérico Viegas recalled that the State “would pay more in unemployment benefits” than in the support it proposes to give, but that with the current model “it fits money”.
Algarve training arrived late and is short
Something that seems to be consensual in the Algarve Training Program is the benefits of the training component associated with it. «Of course it is very interesting, in general terms the Program is correct. The details are flawed», said Elidérico Viegas.
And one of them, in addition to those that I had already mentioned, was the fact that it was “approved too late” and that it had too short a horizon. “This program should have a duration of at least three years and in the first year it should have been launched in time for the companies to join. Thus, it will only serve those who were already thinking about renewing contracts and take advantage of the support», he considered.
An example that fits well with the testimony of Fernando Almeida, a businessman from Faro who operates a restaurant in Praia de Faro and was at the clarification session that took place today in Faro.
“This has a lot to do with the types of companies. Of course, many will not join the program just because there is a subsidy. First, it is necessary to understand whether or not they need employees and, if they do, it can be a good opportunity to reduce costs and train people», he explained.
This is its particular case, since its establishment is relatively recent and the training component will be very useful. “I have people who need training. Some are not that much I miss in low season, but given the existence of the program, we are tempted to renew some contracts», he revealed. "We had 13 employees during the summer, at the moment we have seven and we want to increase to ten using this support", he added.
Little time for a lot of Program
The deadline for joining the Algarve Training program is already the end of October, a fact that caught most of those present by surprise. Even because many of those who attended the clarification session were not potential beneficiaries, but representatives of training entities, who wanted to understand how the program will work in order to offer services to companies.
“Between the news of this training and now the deadline, we have very little time. I came here to be aware of what is happening and in the future to see if, eventually, we provide training», said the teacher at a language school in Faro Helena Santos. The idea is to propose training plans to companies, something that he believes will still be possible to do in some cases, due to «the contacts they gave me now».
Fernando Almeida, on the other hand, spoke of “running behind the deadline”, although he has been attentive to the evolution of the program since its presentation about a month ago. "I believe that there are many people who are not able to present candidacies, some due to lack of knowledge and others due to the uncertainties that still exist in the area of training", considered the businessman from Faro.
The director of the Algarve Hotel and Tourism School (EHTA) João Fernandes believes that the foreseen deadline may not be fixed and that the deadlines will be extended if «adherence until October 30 is not desirable». EHTA was one of the entities that contributed to the training plan and its responsible believes that the model adopted will allow training to be well participated, despite admitting that there is not a significant adhesion from the business world.
«I have some doubts that this measure can respond to a very wide range of trainees and entities. The reality of the Algarve is one of dispersed micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized companies that close during the low season», he assumed.
«However, the measure – precisely because there was already previous experience with the Mais Algarve Program, which lacked the same problem, that of forming groups – was careful to include the possibility of joining groups of unemployed program trainees who have had activities in these areas. This will allow for greater execution,” he added.
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