The 9th edition of OPTO – Education and Training Forum of the Algarve returns to Albufeira on the 26th, 27th and 28th of April.
During these three days, anyone passing by the Albufeira Sports Pavilion, where the event is taking place, will have access to up-to-date information on the various educational and training alternatives available in the national Education System (secondary, professional and higher education), experiences abroad, as well as as the possibility of establishing a first contact with professionals from different areas and organizations.
According to the Albufeira municipality, this year there are several novelties to highlight, namely the extension of opening hours on the first day, until 20:00, the “Educação Albufeira” stand, intended to publicize the various supports/services provided by the Municipality in the area of Education, a space for counseling students, parents and guardians, the holding of the XII Inter Escolas Cocktail Contest, on the 26th, a Fashion Contest, on the 27th, a debate on Freedom of Expression, on the 27th, promoted by JuvAlbuhera – Youth Association of Albufeira, Grouping of Schools Albufeira Poente and Grouping of Schools of Albufeira and the attribution of the Sustainability Prize.
The program includes workshops, lectures, presentation of experiences, culinary demonstrations and a wide range of entertainment proposals inside and outside the enclosure.
It is also worth mentioning the holding of several lectures on programming, healthy eating, studying abroad, access to higher education, civil protection, pediatric basic life support, video recording and editing, vector drawing and vector editing, entrepreneurship, among other topics. important at this stage of young people's lives.
The lectures are free, but are subject to prior registration until the next April 21st.
Over the three days, various musical moments are scheduled, orientation, zumba, dance, flammobes, theatre, TryGolf demonstration, capoeira, mimes, poetry, regional Portuguese songs, Indian dances, among other cultural and artistic manifestations. Outside there are also horse riding demonstrations and canine technical demonstrations by the GNR and the Public Security Police of Faro, the exhibition “Rescue at a Wide Angle”, by the Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Albufeira and Demonstration of First Aid and Basic Life Support, by the Humanitarian Center of Silves-Albufeira of the Portuguese Red Cross.
The mayor of Albufeira emphasizes that «creating the most recognized Education and Training Forum in the region is revealing that Education continues to be a strong commitment of the Municipality».
José Carlos Rolo, also mentions that «the development of initiatives such as OPTO, where a wide range of training possibilities are made available to Algarve youth, reconciling moments of reflection, with animation, spaces for direct and face-to-face contact with school options, offers training courses and professional paths, in a unique place in a memorable convivial environment, is to reaffirm the investment in favor of the new generations».
Cristiano Cabrita, responsible for Youth and Entrepreneurship, highlights the «importance of holding the event at this time of year, when young people have to choose their academic and professional future», highlighting that «the Municipality, by providing young people with the possibility to inform themselves and reflect on several dozens of proposals for training and professional qualification, with offers ranging from secondary to higher education, provides invaluable help in decision-making in terms of their educational, training and professional paths».
The event can be visited on the 26th from 9:30 am to 20:00 pm, the 27th from 9:30 am to 17:30 pm, and the 28th from 9:30 am to 13:00 pm.
It should be recalled that OPTO is a joint organization of the Municipality of Albufeira, Directorate-General for Schools- Directorate of Services for the Algarve Region (DGEstE) and the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) and counts on the collaboration of the three Groupings of Schools in the county.
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