Latest news with #APAL
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
14 govt school students to visit Germany for vocational training: Delhi CM
New Delhi: Fourteen top-performing students from Delhi government schools on Thursday received special tips as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Ashish Sood interacted with them ahead of their vocational training in Germany. At a special felicitation ceremony held at the Delhi Secretariat, CM Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood praised the students who, despite limited resources, gave wings to their dreams through hard work and excellence. The 14 selected students from Delhi Government schools will soon study in Germany under the APAL (Ausbildung Programm für Auszubildende in Deutschland) Project 2025 for a vocational education and training programme. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) of Germany, responsible for employment benefits and job market operations across the country, had launched a flagship initiative known as APAL - 'Training Partnerships with Latin America, India, and Uzbekistan.' CM Gupta stated that it has always been the commitment of the Delhi government to ensure that every child receives world-class education, skill development, and global opportunities, regardless of their socio-economic background. The selection of these children is a living example of that very commitment, she said, adding, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all these children. This journey is not just theirs, but also a step toward building a new India - one where dreams know no bounds." Sood also briefed the 14 students from Delhi Government schools who have been selected to participate in the APAL Project 2025. This programme offers an opportunity to young individuals to pursue dual vocational training in Germany, a global leader in skill development and education. Sood stated that a kind of exchange programme has been established between the Delhi government and the German government, focusing on both skilling and employability. Under this programme, these 14 students will go to Germany, where they will receive training and pursue their education for a duration of 3 to 3.5 years, and eventually secure placements. He further shared that the way Delhi's meritorious students are getting inspired in the field of education will open up many new opportunities for technical education and training, along with other countries. Sood said ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched initiatives like Skill India, the country's reputation has grown internationally. 'Under the guidance of the Government of India, the Delhi government has also made significant strides in the areas of skilling and employability. We have made conscious efforts to ensure that Delhi's children receive quality skill-based education and become employable,' he said.
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apple and pear growers diversify as Australia's fruit consumption declines
After moving to Australia 19 years ago, Amarinder Bajwa built a career in Melbourne in transport. But four years ago, he left it all behind to pursue his dream of being a farmer in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. "I had no idea about Shepparton, but I came to visit a friend who had just bought a farm here," Mr Bajwa said. "I really liked the weather and the way everything looked really green. "It resembles my home country." Mr Bajwa, who grew up in Punjab in northern India, purchased a fruit orchard in Shepparton East with his brother, but it was not long before it got tough. He lost nearly 70 per cent of his crop to a hailstorm, the orchard was flooded in 2022 and now the state is experiencing drought conditions. Despite all that, Mr Bajwa does not regret making the move. "I feel connected — farming brings communities together, whereas in metros you don't know your next-door neighbours. "The support we've had from the community has been beyond my expectations." Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), which represents growers, said the industry was at a "crossroads" and most producers had not made a profit in the past four years. APAL head of industry, government relations and advocacy Jeremy Griffith said he expected more orchards to be consolidated over the next five years. "Input costs have ramped up dramatically, and supermarkets are not covering those costs," Mr Griffith said. Mr Griffith said APAL's strategy for the next five years would focus on increasing consumer demand for fresh produce. New export markets are opening up in China, but Mr Griffith said the industry really needed Australians to eat more fruit. "Apple consumption has flatlined and we have certainly seen a decline in pear consumption," he said. "We did see, in the last few years, 15 per cent of pear orchards removed." The challenges continue to stack up, but Mr Griffiths said farm succession was one of the biggest concerns for orchardists. "Their kids don't want to take over because they can't really see a future in it," he said. "Working this hard and not being able to make a profit, it's a pretty depressing place for the industry to be in. "It's a tough, tough business … and I'm yet to meet a grower who doesn't work seven days a week." It is Mr Bawja's unsinkable optimism that keeps him in the orchard every day. Mr Bawja is diversifying his crops so he does not have to rely on the income of an annual harvest, including growing broccolini year-round. "This is the third year and we're really happy with the way things are coming up," he said. He also plans to plant more apples and apricots. "We are in the process of pulling old varieties out and replacing them with new varieties," Mr Bajwa said. "They are better looking, better eating quality and better yields
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Portugal holidaymakers given major update for summer holidays
Passengers flying into Faro airport will now face shorter queues after one big change at passport control Holidaymakers heading to Portugal this summer have been handed some good news after the government confirmed eGates at Faro Airport are now open for use by British travellers. The move comes after the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer struck a deal with EU leaders last month. It means tourists to the Algarve region can now move swiftly through the electronic gate system which will scan UK passports and replace the need for stamping them. Previously passengers had to queue for manned immigration booths to have their document stamped thanks to post- Brexit regulations. The result has been and lengthy queues and delays for thousands of Brits. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for EU relations, told Parliament on Thursday, June 5, that UK tourists arriving at Faro over the coming days will be able to use eGates. He said it will make 'life easier for holidaymakers '. He said: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests. "Good for bills, borders and jobs. It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. "Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week." The EU plan to introduce the Entry/Exit system (EES) in October 2025. It will mean passports no longer need to be stamped. Instead fliers will need to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken to register them on a database, with the data stored for three years The UK Government website says: "If you are travelling to a country in the Schengen area using a UK passport, you will be required to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when you arrive." It adds: "When EES is introduced, you will need to create a digital record on your first visit to the Schengen area at the port or airport on arrival. "You will be required to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths." British passports can currently be used at e-gates in the EU at only a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. The change at Faro Airport, one of the busiest in Portugal, will be a relief to those heading to the country. There have been chaotic scenes at with pictures of of 'nightmarish' queues at passport control in recent weeks. We reported on three hour queues at the hub with fears the airport was not ready for the peak summer season. The horror queues prompted the APAL - Agência de Promoção de Albufeira, the town's tourism promotion agency - to say they had they had 'deep concern' about the long queues and delays at the airport. APAL warned that these issues jeopardised the region's image and economic health.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Warning to Portugal holidaymakers over 'unacceptable' airport queues and 3 hour delays
Visitors to the holiday hotspot are being warned of nightmare delays when they land Holidaymakers heading to Portugal this summer are facing lengthy delays and 'unacceptable' queues. Tourists arriving at the country's Faro airport are said to increasingly be dealing with queues and up to three hour delays when going through passport control and there are fears that the airport is not ready for the height of the season. One passenger, Edward Carter, said he travels between the UK and Faro airport regularly and spoke about the nightmare delays he endured on Sunday, May 18. He told the Portugal Resident he was shocked at the situation and that he was told he couldn't make a complaint to anyone. Mr Carter said: "The delays occurred in the aftermath of a large number of flight arrivals, but the passenger numbers were apparently as expected. "In fact, on the day of the delay, passengers on Jet2, for example, were sent text messages warning of the delay at about 5am.' He went on: 'The delay was unacceptable, affecting as it did, so many people with special assistance needs, senior citizens and also families with small children. "In the area of the queue there was inadequate access to toilets and no water, which would have affected vulnerable travellers with health issues for example.' When Mr Carter asked if he could make a complaint to senior management or a senior border police officer, he was told he couldn't. He said that he had heard that Faro Airport is the only one in the Algarve under such strain and he called for immediate action to sort the situation. He said: "I was told that Faro is the only airport in Portugal where these delays are suffered and the issue seems to be down to lack of management planning and organisation. "The tourist industry is going to be adversely affected if passengers face delays like this and no-one admits responsibility. There needs to be an enquiry into what is going wrong so remedial action can be taken'. The Portugal Resident also heard from James Brooks, a British property owner in the Algarve. He said that he was going so far as to sell his home because of the airport waiting times. He said: "In my experience, the waiting times have been worse than ever this year. 'This needs exposing. I'm a property owner in the Algarve and we are now selling because of the airport experience." Meanwhile, APAL – Agência de Promoção de Albufeira, the town's tourism promotion agency, said they had 'deep concern' about the long queues and delays at the airport, warning that such issues jeopardise the region's image and economic health. They added: "It is fundamental to stress that this is not an isolated incident. "The repetition of these failures compromises the quality of the tourism offering in the Algarve and undermines the perception of efficiency in our welcoming services.' The director of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, Francisco Vieira Pita, blamed the upgrading of the airport's Internal Security System for delays and waiting times. He insisted this is a 'temporary' situation while adding that staffing issues within PSP police are beyond the airport's control.
