The Chamber of Commerce and the Tenerife Cabildo have introduced their Employment Support Programs to promote the generation of professionally adapted profiles to the labour market. The initiative offers various training opportunities aimed at individuals under 30 and over 45 years, in addition to providing guidance to companies focused on integrating them into the local productive sector through Dual Vocational Training. These initiatives are made possible thanks to the funding from the European Social Fund and the financial support from the island’s Corporation through the department overseen by Efraín Medina. The collaboration stems from the shared vision of both institutions regarding the necessity of equipping the job market with trained workers tailored to current demands.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santiago Sesé, states that the program “aims to be a hub of skilled professionals who are ready for direct labour market integration”. He explains that “the key to change, to economic growth lies in training and acquiring competencies that are increasingly in demand by the labour market”. He adds: “Always with the goal of achieving high job placement rates and providing the business sector with talent”. Furthermore, he emphasizes that “we have always believed in this line of work at the Chamber and, hand in hand with the Cabildo, we have grown and improved the proposal year after year”.
On the other hand, Efraín Medina points out that “continuing to work with the Chamber of Commerce is vital because we would not have achieved the goals set regarding competencies and practical training“. Medina also takes the opportunity “to debunk urban legends such as people not wanting to work. It’s not true, as just a few days ago, five thousand people attended the Attracting Talent Employment Fair. What happens is that people want to work under dignified conditions and in stable jobs”.
From left to right: Lola Pérez, Santiago Sesé and Efraín Medina.
The contribution in this project from the European Social Fund for the year 2024 is 319,657 Euros while the Tenerife Cabildo commits 200,441 Euros.
The Chamber of Commerce plans to prepare and train 189 unemployed individuals. The offering is characterised by specialisation. Santiago Sesé summarises: “This year we are redirecting and aligning it much more with the market and its demands”. He concludes: “We want to continue to enrich it with people who are truly qualified”.
Three Main Pillars
The commitment of both institutions to improve employability is based on three pillars. The first is the Integral Qualification and Employment Program (PICE) aimed at individuals under 30, one of the age groups with the highest number of unemployed individuals. The actions are geared towards understanding the reality of the job market to guide or redirect their professional interests in that direction. In addition to career guidance, the young participants receive training in essential subjects such as professional English, technical equality or human resources expertise.
The 45+ Program is intended for individuals between 45 and 60 years old, a group that faces a lack of educational updating and mastery of digital skills. The effort focuses on introducing and using these tools.
The third proposal, Dual Vocational Training in Companies, will be in line with the objectives of the Ministry of Education: to encourage companies to reap the benefits of incorporating students in the training process into their structure.
