Chapter 78

Portugal

Since 1983 the chamber of commerce has been managing a vocational training centre in which - according to the German Duales System - vocational training was started in some relevant 'key jobs'. This measure became necessary as there had been a continuous scarcity of skilled workers in Portugal. The centre is supported by a lot of German companies. The training on the job is done in German companies which participate in this measure while the theoretical training is sometimes provided by native teachers or by teachers from Germany.

Today, about 90 German and German-Portuguese companies support this project which is led by of the German-Portuguese chamber of commerce. This measure is considered as an exemplary project which points the way for European vocational training.

Academic recognition

In Lisbon, the following office provides information on matters of recognition:

Centro de Informaçâ sobre Reconhecimento Adadémico de Diplomas (CIRAD)
Ministério da Educaçâo
Departamento do Ensino Superior
Núcleo Pedagógico
Av. Duque de Loulé, 137-4° Esq.
P-1000 Lisboa
Phone: (351)1-57.52.92
Fax: (351)1-57.96.17
Contact: Prof. Doutora Maria DOS ANJOS COHEN CASEIRO

It is a part of the ministry of education and is subjected to the general direction for the universities.

This centre accomplishes various kinds of functions:

First of all it is used as an information and documentation centre for questions concerning the equivalence or recognition of academic qualifications and the admission to a university as well as questions concerning vocational aims in Portugal or another member state of the European Union.
In addition to this, the CIRAD is working together with the universities to develop standardised applications of legal guidelines concerning university qualification.
Moreover, the CIRAD has the task to inform enquirers, universities, national and international organisations about the recognition of vocational qualifications. On the other hand, the decisions about academic recognition are made by the universities themselves. The co-ordinator of this centre is also responsible for keeping the principles of the Council Directive (89/48/EEC).
Besides, the CIRAD informs about regulated professions in Portugal and other member states of the European Union and about those training courses which are necessary to get the admission for special vocations in Portugal.

Recognition of vocational qualifications

The CIRAD is the official centre of information for the recognition of vocational qualifications, too. Another institution providing information about the recognition or the potential equivalence of vocational qualifications is:

Ministério do Emprego e Segurança Social
Instituto do Emprego e Formaçâo Profissional - IEFP
Núcleo de Certifícaçâo Profissional
Rua das Picoas, 14
P-1000 Lisboa Codex
Phone: (003511) 3563801/9
Fax: (003511) 538139

On request, the Portuguese and German embassies issue written confirmations on the equivalence of education which are recognised by Portuguese companies if they contain exact specifications about the kind and duration of the training in question.

For practising regimented jobs, the specific office is duly qualified. Generally the decisions about the vocational recognition are made by the authority responsible for the specific profession.