The International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (IPCM) was the collaborating body running the International Seminar "Vocational training: a contribution to the labour market in the field of European social dialogue", held in Amarante (Portugal) from 8th to 10th May, 2015. The seminar was organised by the Associação para a Formação, Investigação e Desenvolvimento Social dos Trabalhadores (FIDESTRA) with funding from the European Union and the European Centre for Workers' Questions (EZA).
During the sessions, the conference topics discussed included "Educational policies concerning vocational training or dual education"; "the role of vocational training in combatting youth unemployment in Europe": national policies that included speeches from Jesús Casado, from the Spanish Centre for Workers' Affairs (CEAT) and the Secretary of the IPCM representing Spain, and Maria Reina Martin (FIDESTRA), Vice-president of the IPCM, representing Portugal.
Saturday's session began with two round table sessions on job training: training models or the role of vocational training schools, to then move on to a debate on vocational training in Europe, involving the participation of representatives from Portugal, Germany and Austria.
The seminar also consisted of a practical part, presenting to attendees a project by young entrepreneurs from the Escuela Profesional Antonio do Lago, on site at their vocational training school.