PORTUGAL
CCP - Confederação do Comércio e Serviços de Portugal
(Portuguese Commerce and Services Confederation)
The Portuguese Commerce and Services Confederation – CCP (Confederação do Comércio e Serviços de Portugal) is a private employers organization of the commerce and services sector, created in 1976, that represents the interests and aims of the employers/entrepreneurs of commerce and of several services, gathering around 100 sector and regional associations and representing more than 200.000 enterprises, including micro and small sized enterprises, which have a very significant weight in this reality. These enterprises are responsible for more than 1 million jobs (600 thousand from the commerce sector and about the same numbers from the services sector).
CCP also assumes the role of social partner and, as such, assures the representation of the sector in national and international bodies, and takes position on relevant legal proposals. Apart from the role of social partner, CCP also develops and provides a set of different services dedicated to its associations, like information concerning legal subjects, statistics and other subjects of interest; studies and vocational training projects; consultancy service and other services that contribute to the associations´ empowerment and enterprises´ competitiveness.
CCP also co-ordinates the national training in the sector, in connection with the associations, namely through integrated vocational training plans, a vocational training centre – CECOA - and the Commerce School of Lisbon.
As social partner, CCP is represented in several entities, including:
- The Economic and Social Council (CES)
- The Permanent Commission for Social Bargaining (CPCS)
- The Board of Administration of the Portuguese Public Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP)
- Several commissions/working groups related to Vocational Training, Education, Certification, Health and Safety at Work, etc.
At international level, CCP:
- Is a member of EUROCOMMERCE (European association representing the interests of commerce close to the European Union institutions);
- Follows the legislative process of the European Union, especially in the relevant areas for the sector;
- Is represented in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin Foundation), in the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (Bilbao Agency) and in European Commission Advisory Committees;
- Participates in the annual international conference of the International Labour Organisation;
- Participates in transnational Vocational Training projects and in other kinds of projects of interest to the development of its activity.
Concerning its internal organisation, CCP has an International Affairs Department, a Legal and Fiscal Affairs Department and a Studies and Projects Department, which send information concerning their field of activity to the associations and their enterprises, give consultancy services and often participate in specific projects, both at national and at international level.
Website: www.ccp.pt
Contact Person: Rita Siborro (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
CECOA - Centro de Formação Profissional para o Comércio e Afins
(Vocational Training Centre for the Commerce and Services)
CECOA is a public vocational training centre that was created by a protocol signed in 1986 between IEFP - Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (public body depending on the Ministry of Solidarity, Employment and Social Security and responsible for the implementation of the national policies in terms of employment and VET) and CCP - the Portuguese Commerce and Services Confederation (social partner representing the commerce and services sector).
The aim of CECOA is to promote educational activities and vocational training, including the apprenticeship in the commerce and services sectors. With a national scope, CECOA has its head office in Lisbon and two other branches in Porto and Coimbra. Since 1986, CECOA trained more than 92.000 trainees.
CECOA works in different training modalities and for different target groups: initial VET for Young People; education and training programs for adults; continuing training for employees and people already in the labour market (catalogue and tailor-made training organised in order to fit the needs and demands of a company or organization) distance learning, training of trainers as well support services for companies and organisations.
CECOA is an entity recognised under the national system of assessment and accreditation of VET Providers and since 2005 Cecoa´s Quality Management System is recognised under ISO 9001:2008.
CECOA has more than 15 years of experience in the development of national and international projects of R&D and innovation, namely in the framework of European projects in the VET field and/or for the commerce and services sectors.
CECOA is member of the national network of centres dedicated to guidance, validation, assessment and certification of (formal, non formal and informal) skills and competences of Youth and Adults. CECOA is also member of several national and European networks:
- National network of knowledge resources centres - www.crcvirtual.org
- PT Learning Working Group, a national network aligned with the purpose of encouraging lifelong learning - http://lwgportugal.org
- National network RSO PT, a corporate social responsibility network www.rsopt.com/portal
- National Sectoral Council for Qualifications for the Commerce Sector http://www.catalogo.anqep.gov.pt/Home/CSQ
- European Sectoral Skills Council Commerce http://www.europeancommerce.eu/default.aspx
- National REFERNET group, the European network for Vocational Education and Training www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/about-cedefop/networks/Refernet/index.aspx
- NETINVET, a network and an association promoting European mobility for learners completing vocational training in international trade and transports & logistics - www.netinvet.eu/
- EUMOVETRADE, a network promoting mobility and high quality work placements throughout Europe specially targeted to the commerce sector - www.eumovetrade.eu
- EPRA, the European Peer Review Network, an association aiming at disseminating and further develop PR in VET institutions in the whole of Europe - www.peer-review-network.eu/
Website: www.cecoa.pt
Contact person: Cristina Dimas (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
ANQEP, I.P. - Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional
(National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training)
Agência Nacional para a Qualificação e o Ensino Profissional (ANQEP, I.P.) - National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training is a public institute, under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Solidarity, Employment and Social Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Economy. This joint supervision aims at promoting a better articulation and coherence of the VET System. ANQEP’s mission is to coordinate the implementation of policies regarding the education and training of young people and adults, as well as to ensure the development and management of the National System for the Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences. One of the main instruments to reach these aims is the National Catalogue of Qualifications, in whose definition and up-dating the Sector Councils for Qualification participate.
The members of the Sector Councils for Qualification are experts appointed by different sectors of activity, representatives of enterprises of reference, training providers and other certified providers, as well as independent experts. Concerning demand for qualifications by the labor market and the respective supply by the education and training system, coordinated instruments are used by the entities that operate in the monitoring process. In this context, the National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education and Training, in coordination with the Sector Councils for Qualification and the other services responsible for the implementation of VET policies, plays a key role in bridging the world of education and training and the world of work.
Website: www.anqep.gov.pt
Contact person: Sandra Lameira (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
