OPTO – the largest education and training forum south of the Tagus was once again a success. From April 17th to 19th, more than 10 thousand young people passed through the Albufeira Sports Pavilion. 3rd cycle and secondary, vocational and professional students, professionals in the educational and training area, parents and guardians had the opportunity to collect updated information on the offer available in the educational and training system in the country and abroad, with a view to help young people decide about their future. It should be noted that OPTO, which is now in its tenth edition, is an organization of the Municipality of Albufeira, in partnership with the General Directorate of Schools and the IEFP – Institute of Employment and Professional Training. The event, which ended last Friday, says goodbye until next year.
The 10th edition of OPTO – Algarve Training and Education Forum was attended by 76 exhibitors and 10,200 visitors, who came to the event in search of updated information on the various school and training alternatives available in the national Educational System (teaching secondary, professional and higher education), experiences abroad, as well as the possibility for young people to establish a first contact with professionals from different areas and organizations.
This year, the event had 76 exhibitors present: 18 from Secondary Education, 23 from Higher Education, 11 in the area of Languages, Mobility and Study Abroad. OPTO also had the participation of 24 entities that, every year, provide the event with an excellent platform for publicizing and capturing the interest of young people, namely the National Agency Erasmus + Education and Training; Portuguese Army – Lisbon Recruitment Center; Portuguese Army (GAP de Tavira); Portuguese Air Force – Recruitment Center; GNR – Faro Territorial Command; Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth; Junior Achievement Portugal; Portuguese Navy; PSP – Faro District Command; Macramé Network; Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Albufeira, among other organizations.
The president of Albufeira City Council, José Carlos Rolo, members of the council, president of the Municipal Assembly and presidents of the Parish Council were present at the opening of the event, together with the Algarve Regional Education Delegate (DGEsTE), Carla Alexandra Fernandes, and the Algarve Regional Delegate of the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP, IP), Madalena Feu, having carried out, as usual, the visit to the exhibitors present at the exhibition.
OPTO is a very impactful event, as it offers students a first contact with a significant number of educational and professional options, highlighted José Carlos Rolo. “The influx of visitors this year exceeded all expectations, making it one of the most attended editions since the beginning of the event.” The mayor stressed that there are many possibilities, as can be seen from the educational and training offer present at the Albufeira Sports Pavilion, so it is up to young people, together with their parents and their teachers, to reflect on what they want for their future”. But, regardless of your choice, I tell you that Albufeira is a land of opportunities and needs you, your knowledge and skills to help develop the land that saw you born and grow as a person and professional”, he stressed.
During the three days of OPTO, there were more than 100 activities available to visitors, with emphasis on the constant entertainment on the stage and outside the event, with the most popular being demonstrations of cavalry, kinesthetics and basic life support and for the bravest, the climb to the Climbing Tower. Musical, theater and dance moments, making cocktails, preparing food and natural juices, preparing pancakes, popular games, regional Portuguese songs, video presentations and body painting stencil are just some of the examples of the activities that took place in the 10th edition of OPTO.
It should be noted that the event received many students from school groups in Albufeira, but also from other municipalities in the region, and in Alentejo, such as Faro, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Portimão, Silves, Tavira, Grândola, Mértola and Ourique.
CM Albufeira
