Synopsis: IES, IP presents a study on a decade of Higher Professional Technical Courses and promotes reflection on the challenges and priorities for the evolution of this offering.
The Institute for Higher Education, IP (IES, IP) will present, on September 7th, at the Thalia Theatre in Lisbon , the study “CTeSP: Evaluation of a Decade of Higher Professional Technical Courses” , promoted by IES, IP and carried out by the Center for Research on Higher Education Policies (CIPES) .
This study takes stock of the first decade of development of Higher Professional Technical Courses (CTeSP), analyzing the evolution of this training, the results achieved, and the challenges facing its future development. Its presentation will also serve as a starting point for a broader discussion on the role that CTeSP can play in the Portuguese higher education system and on the conditions necessary for its evolution.
Created in 2014, CTeSP courses constitute a distinct pathway for higher education and professional qualification , with a strong technical component and work-based learning, also allowing for the continuation of studies. Over the last decade, this training has grown significantly and gained prominence in the Portuguese higher education system, currently representing approximately 13% of new students in the initial cycle.
The evaluation carried out by CIPES allows us to look at this trajectory in an integrated way. In addition to the results achieved, the study identifies a set of issues that are important to discuss, namely the vocational nature of the courses, the connection with employers, the quality of training in the workplace, dropout rates, the continuation of studies, and the suitability of the courses to the needs of different territories.
Based on these conclusions and recommendations, the meeting aims to open a discussion about the future of CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Courses). The presentation of the study will therefore be followed by a debate with different stakeholders in the system, seeking to compare the evaluation results with the experiences and perspectives of those who participate in, monitor, and benefit from this training.
From study to reflection on the future.
The discussion will involve higher education institutions, students and graduates, employers, Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDR), the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES), and other partners operating in the different territories.
Participants will be divided into five regional groups — North, Center, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo, and Algarve , with the latter also including representatives from the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira — where the main conclusions and recommendations of the study will be debated, taking into account the different territorial realities and needs.
The discussion will seek, in particular, to relate short-term higher education to qualification and skills needs, the economic fabric, and regional development dynamics.
The moderation of the groups will be the responsibility of the Vice-Presidents of the CCDRs (Regional Coordination and Development Commissions) responsible for the area of Education , contributing to strengthening the territorial dimension of the debate and the coordination between the different participants.
Finally, the groups' conclusions will be presented in plenary session, allowing for the sharing of key contributions, the identification of convergences, and the highlighting of the specificities and priorities of each region.
Knowledge and evidence to support public policies.
The study, promoted by IES, IP and developed by CIPES, is part of the Institute for Higher Education's role in implementing and coordinating higher education policies and supporting the supervisory authority in their definition, based on knowledge and evidence. In this context, the analysis of the experience accumulated over the first decade of CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Courses) allows us to understand the results of this training, recognize the aspects that are important to preserve or reinforce, and identify the areas where challenges remain.
The meeting on September 7th aims, therefore, to bring the knowledge produced by the study closer to the experience of the different stakeholders in this offering.
The conclusions and recommendations of CIPES will be the starting point for a future-oriented discussion, seeking to contribute to the identification of priorities for CTeSP (Professional Higher Technical Courses) and their role in the qualification of people, in responding to skills needs and in the development of territories.
Event Program
Follow the session live
(7/09/2026 – 3:30 PM)
Published in September 4, 2026 | Updated on September 4, 2026
