CEARTE’s mission in its 20 years of training activity is generally recognised by its students, official entities and the handcraft sector as an important contribution towards vocational training needs in this area (especially in active workers training, in which is the only institution in Portugal), by the accuracy and integrity of its strategies and support measures in upgrading and valuing craftspeople professional skills and by its active participation in the structuring dynamics of the sector.CEARTE’s activity has generated truly positive results, fully acknowledge especially by other agents of the Handcraft sector, from which we emphasize:

• Thousands of youngsters who found in CEARTE a future and a destiny for their lives.
• Ill-favoured people who found support, help and social and vocational guidance.
• The contribution to the subsistence of many families, especially in interior regions, where handcraft presents itself as a life alternative.
• The Centre services in craftspeople qualification nation wide.
• The strong contribution towards organization and development of the handcraft sector.
• Innovating and pioneer projects in Arts and Crafts in Portugal
• Leading thousands of youngsters to the handcraft sector, making it a meaningful economical, social and cultural activity.

It is our vision of the future that Handcraft should stand up, not because of low prices but by the diversity, quality and excellence of its production. With this purpose it becomes necessary to invest in 3 strategic areas: Production Technologies, Market and Design/Innovation. Therefore vocational training becomes a valuable and decisive instrument in 3 ways:

• Apprenticeship Training System (with vocational qualification and school progression) – increasing craftspeople levels of qualification is the key to handcraft quality and to the development of its activities. A truly qualifying training, supported by a wide range education is today required in order to succeed in the development of a professional activity in Arts and Crafts, answering to the political objectives for the sector, that mean to dignify and qualify handcraft activities and their executants.
• Craftspeople Lifelong Training – lifelong training is an essential element towards professional value and a competitive factor in the Handcraft sector’s strategy.
• More and Better Training – especially better and more specific updating and further training so that quality and rigour in projects, materials, trainers, training institutions and students profile be an absolute warranty.