National Association of Professional Schools - Portugal

  ANESPO is a non-profit organization established in February 1991, representing over 150 Professional Schools in Portugal attended by about 40.000 students. These schools award a diploma of level 4 (European Union's qualification framework), corresponding to middle staff, provide training for adult education and qualification, skills recognition and accreditation (RVC), and take part in projects aimed at helping disabled people, enhancing equity and fighting social exclusion.

Know-how and expertise of ANESPO is rooted on this extensive experience of its associated members, to whom it provides with advice in a wide range of matters, such as:
• Enhancing quality of teaching;
• Support in definition of pedagogic principles and guidelines;
• Professional accreditation;
• Continuing training to teachers, tutors and other education specialists;
• Support in design of long life learning programs and strategies for transition to labor world;
• Design of long life, multiple choice career guidance models for present changing context;
• Design and implementation of innovative projects through partnerships with domestic and transnational institutions;
• Strengthening dynamic role of Professional Schools in communities

ANESPO takes a strategic partner role with government, namely with education, labor and professional training ministries, as well as with other official bodies, several public community and private institutions, and economic and social stakeholders, namely social partners.
ANESPO is member of EFVET – European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the National Council for Education (CNE) and affiliated with the Confederation of Trade and Services of Portugal (CCP), being part of respective Steering Committees.