CECOA - Centro de Formação Profissional para o Comércio e Afins (Vocational Training Centre for the Trade) was created by a protocol signed in July 1986 between the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (public body depending on the Ministry of Labour and responsible for the implementation of the national policies in terms of employment and vocational training) and the Confederation of Trade and Services of Portugal. The aim of CECOA is to promote educational activities and vocational training, including the apprenticeship in the trade sector. Since 1986 CECOA trained more than 50.000 trainees. CECOA is an entity accredited under the national system of assessment and accreditation of VET Providers and since 2005 Cecoa´s Quality Management System was recognised under ISO 9001:2000.