Courses designed to equip individuals with a workstation: from dining room assistance or transport supervision – companions on school buses, supporting seniors or various groups – to graphic designer roles. This is the ethos of the Tenerife Young School, a project under the Council, which offers a diverse range of training options spanning areas such as education and social welfare; leisure and sports; health; audiovisual production and digital design, among others. This initiative has proven to be successful, as demonstrated by the figures: in 2024, over 7,300 young individuals from Tenerife aged between 16 and 34 registered for various courses. Additionally, among its standout offerings are training in Spanish sign language, first aid, and nutrition and dietetics.
Technologies
The insular Youth Councillor, Serafín Mesa, elaborates that for those particularly interested in the digital landscape, the school has integrated courses in digital photography, editing using free software, podcast production, and graphic design for social media platforms into its curriculum. These courses not only empower participants with technical expertise but also prepare them to meet the demands of a rapidly digitalising marketplace.
News
One of the significant innovations in this programme, as explained by Mesa, “is the addition of courses validated by external organisations.” This enables participants to earn a dual academic qualification: a diploma issued by the Cabildo of Tenerife alongside an official certification “that garners greater acknowledgment in employment settings,” comments councillor Mesa.
Flexible offer
Flexibility is yet another asset of the training programme, with courses available in face-to-face, blended, and online formats, allowing young adults to select the option best suited to their circumstances. This accessibility is paramount since many attend school or have jobs that necessitate balancing their education with other commitments. Furthermore, the Cabildo has introduced customised training with more focused and specialised programmes that cover particular areas of knowledge, each lasting around 60 hours. This format enables young people to explore topics of interest without overcommitting their time, thus facilitating their participation.
Expanding
The success of the Tenerife Young School is unmistakable in its statistics. In the 2024 edition, over 7,300 individuals enrolled in a variety of available courses. Notably, 72.7% of the participants were women, reflecting an increasing interest from females in enhancing their training and pursuing new employment opportunities. Moreover, a notable 53.7% of students had recently completed either Baccalaureate or Secondary education, highlighting the diverse range of profiles that the island’s programme accommodates.
Students and workers
Another striking observation is that 47% of participants were students, whilst 33% were unemployed, emphasising the significance of this initiative in facilitating the labour inclusion of young residents of Tenerife. In preparation for this year’s edition, 29 courses have been organised for the first quarter, comprising 15 online, eight blended, and six face-to-face options.
Promising future
In an ever-evolving and competitive employment landscape, education has become a crucial asset for professional success. The Tenerife Joven School not only delivers accessible, high-quality training but also instills young people with the confidence and skills necessary to navigate the workforce challenges ahead. The impact of this programme resonates beyond employability; it encompasses the personal development many participants undergo. Through this training, young individuals seize the opportunity to grow, learn, and envision a future bursting with potential. This sentiment is echoed by the majority of those who have engaged with these learning environments.
Consolidated
The Tenerife Joven School, an initiative spearheaded by the Cabildo, has firmly established itself as one of the premier training programmes for young inhabitants of the Island. Since its inception in 2016, this endeavour has aimed to provide individuals aged 16 to 34 with a platform to enhance their professional qualifications and broaden their employment prospects. The programme has emerged as a benchmark, not just for the quality of its courses, but also for its adaptability to the evolving demands of the job market and the aspirations of the youth.
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