President Bachelet confirms that 75,000 people will receive training in 2015 through the Más Capaz program

The President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, accompanied by the Employment and Social Security Minister, Javiera Blanco, was in the La Granja district of Santiago for the nationwide launch of the Más Capaz (more capable) program.

The aim of the program, which is delivered by the National Training and Employment Service (SENCE), is to help vulnerable young people and women find employment and remain in the labor market. The program offers training grants to fund courses that enable participants to find better jobs and therefore better wages.

The program is aimed at women aged between 30 and 64 with little or no previous work experience; young people aged 18 to 29 with parental responsibilities who are not studying; and students in their final year at technical high schools. The program also offers training grants to people with disabilities aged 18 to 40.

Highlighting the aims of the program, President Bachelet noted that “we need to give working men and women in Chile the space and the tools so they can contribute to our country’s development, with better conditions and decent wages for the work they do.”

“This is what has inspired our Employment Agenda,” she explained. “We have addressed this challenge by facing the issues head on, without avoiding the argument. And above all by letting dialog prevail; without taboos; with respect and by listening.”

The President went on to add that the fundamental aim of the employment agenda is “to help improve wages and working conditions for Chileans, which in turn will help build a better working environment and a greater allegiance with what each of us does. And ultimately, this will lead to higher productivity, which benefits us all.”

President Bachelet confirmed that by the end of her Government’s term she expects 300,000 women to have participated in the Más Capaz training program. Of these, 40,000 will have received training to help them set up their own business. Similarly, 150,000 young people will have been trained, of whom “at least 20,000 will be young people with disabilities, because we know that the parents of these youngsters will not always be around and we want them to be able to support themselves.”

She also announced that 75,000 people will be trained this year with courses averaging 180 to 300 hours in duration. 50,000 will be women of whom at least 15,000 will receive technical assistance to set up a business. She explained that “depending on the needs and interests of participants, we will offer adult high school diploma programs and scholarships to continue studying after the training course has been completed.”

As a result of the recent flooding in the Atacama region, the President said that the program start will be postponed there for the time being as ““we must first stabilize the situation in the region’s cities, towns and villages.” She confirmed that those affected will be given the tools and opportunity to rebuild their lives and get back on their feet.

Finally she highlighted that “of the 360,000 places designated for the Atacama region, at least 2,500 places will be for young people and women, with an emphasis on sectors such as construction, food and catering, services and the mining industry.”