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Especially today, in a globalised world, where many European countries see their economic stability threatened by the financial crisis, education and training are of the utmost importance in the light of promoting employment and the subsequent sustainable economic development. The European Union has largely contributed to these goals, by supporting iniatives aiming to foster employability and career development through education and training. Taking the outermost region Madeira Island as an example, this research analyses the impact of E.C. funded professional development programmes in the career development, more specifically in the tourism area: the island´s biggest motor of economic growth.

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Helena Vieira, Master of Arts in European Union Studies in the University of Salzburg.

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