Timor-Leste and Portugal Deepen Ties in Vocational Training Cooperation

INDMO, I.P. | Aquiles S Guterres

Dili (9 April 2025) — Timor-Leste’s National Institute for Workforce Development (INDMO, I.P.) and Portugal’s National Agency for Qualification and Vocational Education (ANQEP, I.P.) held a high-level virtual meeting on Wednesday aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in vocational education and training.

The meeting focused on strategic priorities such as the mutual recognition of vocational training certificates and the potential adoption of Portugal’s dual certification model—a system that integrates both academic and professional qualifications and has demonstrated strong outcomes across sectors in Portugal.

INDMO Director, Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, opened the session by welcoming the renewed partnership. “This is an important step in deepening our collaboration with a fellow Lusophone nation,” she said. “We are confident that this cooperation will lead to impactful results in strengthening our national qualifications system.”

Representing ANQEP, Ms. Ana Cláudia Valente, member of the agency’s Board of Directors, reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to supporting shared goals. “It’s always a pleasure to engage with our Timorese partners,” she noted. “Portugal has developed robust models of dual certification and qualifications recognition, and we’re ready to share these experiences to help meet the priorities of Timor-Leste.”

The collaboration builds on the foundation of the Strategic Cooperation Program (PEC) signed in 2024 between Timor-Leste and Portugal, which focuses on reinforcing employment and vocational training systems. Mr. Hugo Curado, representing Portugal’s Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security through the Strategy and Planning Office (GEP), emphasized the significance of this alignment. “This cooperation reflects the concrete goals of the PEC. Supporting Timor-Leste’s efforts to modernize its vocational training sector is a shared strategic interest,” he stated.

As a next step, INDMO extended an official invitation to ANQEP to participate in the upcoming 2nd Timor-Leste Skills Week, set for September 2025. The event aims to showcase international best practices, with a special focus on dual certification.

“The Skills Week will provide a dynamic platform to exchange insights, deepen institutional partnerships, and open new avenues for technical cooperation,” said Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, Director of INDMO.Participants in the virtual meeting from INDMO included Director Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, Ms. Lidvina Tilman (Director of DNLAQ), technical experts Mr. Arlindo da Costa and Mr. Amândio Belo, as well as advisors Mr. Aquiles Guterres and Mr. David da Costa Patrício.The ANQEP delegation was composed of Mr. Ana Cláudia Valente, Dr. Sandra Lameira (Director of the National Qualifications Catalogue Department), Mr. Ângela Dionísio (Director of the Youth Qualification Department), Mr. Miguel Silva (Director of the Adult Qualification Department), and Mr. Rita Branco (Division of Management Support and Compliance).

Mr. Hugo Curado participated on behalf of the GEP. This meeting marks a milestone in the evolving partnership between Timor-Leste and Portugal, setting the stage for formal agreements and joint projects in the months to come—advancing shared objectives in skills development, certification, and employability.