Isabel de Esteban, the island’s Director of Historical Heritage, and Serafín Mesa, the Youth and Training Councillor, met with third and fourth-year students from the Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration programme at the University of La Laguna on Wednesday. The meeting aimed to inform students about professional opportunities in the heritage conservation sector on the island.
Participating in the event were faculty members, led by Antonio Sánchez and María Fernanda Guitián. They presented key restoration and conservation projects initiated by Tenerife’s Cabildo, along with the efforts of the Historical Heritage Service to protect and enhance the island’s heritage.
Councillor Mesa also highlighted programmes, scholarships, and employment initiatives developed by the Youth and Training Department, notably the PONOS programme, which connects young people with local businesses to facilitate their entry into the job market.
Isabel de Esteban emphasised the importance of the Cabildo’s investment in heritage recovery, stating, “We want those currently training to understand the effort the Cabildo is making to restore and conserve Tenerife’s heritage. We need qualified professionals to join these multidisciplinary teams. Our goal is for them to see a professional future here, as their talent is essential in preserving our history.”
This meeting is part of strengthening collaboration between the university and the Cabildo, with De Esteban noting that initiatives like this are crucial for students to understand the realities of the sector and the opportunities available.
Mesa added that the Cabildo is committed to aligning education with employment, ensuring young people can build their careers in Tenerife. He reiterated their aim to provide the necessary opportunities for skilled individuals to remain on the island.
During the meeting, students learned about current Cabildo projects focused on historical heritage recovery and engaged with officials on the challenges and opportunities in a sector that is experiencing significant growth due to increased investment in cultural heritage conservation.
