Collahuasi’s C20+ Project Delivered Free Training Courses in Lathe and Milling, Low-Level Rigger, Industrial Assembly, Warehouse Management, Wet Operations and Kitchen Assistant

Through this initiative, more than 300 residents of the region took part.

A total of 159 young people and adults from the Tarapacá Region were certified in various job skills after completing the courses organized by the Training and Employability Program of Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi’s C20+ Project.

The initiative was made possible through collaborative work with public and private organizations, enabling free access to skills and knowledge for local residents in areas such as Lathe and Milling, Low-Level Rigger, Industrial Assembly, Warehouse Management, Wet Operations, and Kitchen Assistant.

“It exceeded all my expectations. I was unemployed and it was very hard to find a job. After taking the course, and just recently this month, I found a job. Thanks to the course,” said Carla Ponce from the municipality of Alto Hospicio, after completing the Kitchen Assistant program. Her neighbor, Valentina Jara, added: “These courses were a huge opportunity, because they help open new doors in terms of employment.”

Alan Álvarez, who traveled daily from the municipality of Pica to Iquique to study Lathe and Milling, said: “Now, in terms of work, I’m employed in Pozo Almonte at SIMM, a metal workshop. My goal is to keep working in what I studied, because I really like being a lathe operator.”

Also participating was Christopher Bravo from Alto Hospicio, who completed the Industrial Assembly course. “I was working, but I saw a better opportunity. I wanted this certification, so I quit my job and took the course. Now I’ve finished and got a plant shutdown job, so I’m currently working in this same field, industrial assembly.”

In this way, other people in the region were able to realize their dreams by gaining tools that allowed them to change their lives and create better opportunities for their families. This was the case for Sumey Rosas from Alto Hospicio: “For those of us who can’t afford to pay for expensive courses, it’s incredible that a program of this magnitude is offered for free,” she said after completing the Wet Operations course.

The newly certified participants come from the municipalities of Pica, Pozo Almonte, Alto Hospicio and Iquique, as part of Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi’s commitment, explained María Luisa Arecheta, Senior Community Supervisor of Collahuasi’s C20+ Project. “We are honestly very happy. This year we have already reached 297 certified participants, 54% of whom are already employed, which is a great achievement, and we believe this will accelerate even further,” she said.

She also highlighted the collaborative work between the company and various regional businesses in developing the Training and Employability Program. “Many of them have expressed the importance of what we are doing, as they see great value for the region in having people trained in specific technical areas. In this way, we also support local companies with better-prepared personnel,” she noted.

This effort was further strengthened by the support of the Association of Metallurgical and Metalworking Industries (ASIMET) and the Instituto del Mar de Iquique, helping to reinforce the Lathe and Milling training. “It is a source of pride to have participated in this pre-contract project together with Collahuasi. I believe it marks a milestone for the region, creating a virtuous circle that brings together the Instituto del Mar, Collahuasi as the project leader, young people from various communities, and us as ASIMET’s training organization,” said ASIMET Business Manager Shigeru Otsu.

This marks the second mass certification of job skills under the C20+ community program. Previously, another 153 people took part in the initiative, which participants described as a life-changing opportunity that opens new doors for them and their families.