An Employment Bus makes employment and training information more accessible to the Vale de Campanhã in Porto.

This Employment Bus brings information to different neighbourhoods about new job opportunities, training programmes and support for setting up a business. Using only limited financial and human resources, information suddenly becomes much more accessible to large numbers of people.

The bus itself is a versatile vehicle for disseminating information about other projects and purposes and it could be used in most European cities. In Porto, it is now also used to keep residents and businesses up-to-date about other projects in the URBAN programme. In particular, the Foundation, which runs the programme in Porto, uses the bus to encourage public institutions, private companies, citizen groups and individuals to join forces and get involved.

The bus and clubs do not just provide information; they also collect information about their visitors. The data is used to design relevant and useful training courses for people in the area. Seven training courses involving 60 people have already taken place. Recognising the value of the club, the city's Employment Institute has agreed to cover staff costs in the future.

In a year and a half the bus, with its waiting room and one office, has contacted people in several areas of the Vale de Campanhã. Interest was so great in one neighbourhood, Cerco do Porto, that a permanent Employment Club was created locally. Lessons learnt from running the bus were transferred to the Club. What is more, a total of 135 people found jobs, thanks to the club.

Câmara Municipal do Porto
Ms M. de Sousa, tel. +351 22 5899260

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Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Employment