The Secretariat of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy (SoSPTEP) organized an international level seminar for Professional Training in Timor-Leste. The seminar took place in Comoro, Dili, it lasted two days (20 and 21 September), and focused on the theme: “The creation of opportunities and the development of work quality in Timor-Leste.”

The main objective for this seminar was to share experiences with the experts coming from the development partners and neighboring countries, (notably Australia, ILO, AusAID, Portugal, Brazil, ADB), and others who are individually in the territory, and have contributed to the training effort in Timor-Leste. Another goal is related with the five years of work experience developed by SoSPTEP in the area of ​​professional training and other relevant areas.

At the opening session, the Vice Prime Minister for Social Issues, Fernando La Sama de Araújo said: “I am confident and aware of the importance of this event. In the presence of guests with so much experience and deep knowledge in the area of training, we can only say that this seminar is to be very fruitful. I would like to state, that those who have previously contributed and organized training courses of this nature, show that they know how to discern our needs as a young country. “

“Timor-Leste is living in an era of competition, and being competitive when you are providing services, prepares the young people to compete with other young people, or with the society in general, in another country. We believe that Timor-Leste will integrate ASEAN and consequently there will be an exchange of foreign citizens, such as from Vietnam and from Malaysia, who choose to work in Timor-Leste and vice versa. If we are not qualified professionally, we will eventually give way to foreign workers “, argued La Sama.

The Secretary of State for Professional Training and Employment Policy, Ilídio Ximenes da Costa, stressed that while the seminar presents an opportunity in which one shares experiences, one is also trying to find answers to the needs that this young country faces. “A country that recently turned thirteen years of age, where there is a lack of skills, of knowledge and expertise, expects to create motivation for the future, and find answers to all those needs, through these initiatives” said Ilídio Ximenes da Costa.

In addition to the above mentioned, attending the event were, the Minister of Education, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Secretary of State for Support and Promotion of the Private Sector, Veneranda Lemos Martins.