A very important program launched by Portugal helps migrants to obtain job and training opportunities
The Portuguese government recently announced the launch of the Integrar Program , an initiative aimed at assisting foreigners who have moved to the country in search of new job opportunities.
The project is coordinated by the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP) , and its main objective is to offer support to unemployed foreigners, people looking for their first job, as well as workers who wish to change areas or obtain professional training in the country.
The initiative comes at a time of adjustments in Portuguese migration policy, which saw a 24% reduction in the granting of work visas in 2024 , when compared to the same period in the previous year.
What is the Integrar Program and how does it work?
According to information from the European Commission, the Integrar Program was structured to facilitate the social and professional inclusion of migrants in the country , reducing cultural barriers, as well as promoting training. Among the main services offered by the program, we have:
- Professional training : courses and training to qualify and requalify participants.
- Recognition of skills and diplomas : support to validate academic certifications and professional experiences acquired abroad.
- Job search support : active assistance to facilitate entry into the Portuguese job market.
The program is structured in different stages, we will mention the main ones for Brazilians:
1. Initial assessment : Participants undergo an individual face-to-face interview , where their profile, professional history, needs and expectations are analyzed.
2. Personalized employment and training plan : Based on this assessment, an individualized plan is developed , which may include training courses, specific training and support in the search for a job opportunity.
3. Recognition of qualifications : The program also aims to assist in the recognition and validation of diplomas, in addition to providing guidance on the processes required to obtain academic and professional equivalencies.
The creation of the Integrar Program makes clear the need for Portugal to attract qualified workers from other countries, which is a great opportunity for Brazilians. In this case, contexts such as population aging and shortage of workers in strategic sectors end up impacting the country's economy.
Growth of non-European immigration in Portugal
Portugal's migration policy has been a central theme in recent years, especially in light of the significant increase in the number of non-European immigrants in the country, also largely driven by the migration of Brazilians to the country.
A report by the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) indicates that, in the last five years, the number of migrants from outside Europe has almost doubled. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) revealed that Portugal has over one million foreigners, and the majority are Brazilians.
The Annual Report revealed that, of the 1,044,606 foreigners living in the country, 35.3% of the total are Brazilians with regularized residence permits, that is, 363,449 immigrants from Brazil.
At a time when Portugal is seeing a decline in the number of migrants in 2024, the growth of non-European foreigners reinforces the importance of programs such as the Integrar Program, which seeks to ensure better integration of foreigners into the Portuguese economy.