The Cabildo de Tenerife promotes training initiatives through the Scholarships America project. The Vice President and Councillor for Tourism, Lope Afonso, along with the island director of External Action and institutional relations, Pedro González, welcomed the seven young individuals destined for Mexico and Colombia at the island’s palace.
Objective
This initiative, spearheaded by the Insular Corporation and the FiFede Foundation, aims to enhance the internationalisation of the island’s economy. It does so by enabling graduates, who are residents of the island, to gain knowledge and experience through non-employment training placements abroad. Participants will undertake their training in various collaborating entities across the Americas, which may include public organisations, private firms, or third-sector groups.
Employment Integration
Lope Afonso emphasises that this programme aspires to “facilitate the employment integration of young people from Tenerife, ensuring they have the best prospects for the future.” These scholarships cover the costs of accommodation and living expenses, although they do not encompass paid placements. Afonso articulated that “students who have recently completed their higher education will benefit from this work experience”. The focus is on “enhancing dissemination channels and promoting these opportunities”. He asserted, “We believe this is a valuable tool and we are committed to nurturing it for the enhancement of our youth’s employment prospects.”
Expansion
Pedro González remarked, “We have not only succeeded in solidifying the Scholarships America programme launched during this term but have also significantly expanded its reach.” He highlighted that “through this initiative, we achieve the dual aim of training individuals from Tenerife at the regional level while simultaneously fostering advocates for our island in various countries, thereby strengthening our international relationships.”
Background
This training initiative is rooted in the Scholarship Project Africa, which, since its inception in 2014, has enabled over 150 participants to gain professional experience in several countries on the neighbouring continent, including Cape Verde, Morocco, Senegal, and Gambia.
Initial Edition
The scholarship initiatives commenced in 2023 as a continuation of the efforts established in Africa. The first edition enabled three fellows to undertake placements in various companies in Mexico City during 2024, for a duration of six months.
Second Edition
The subsequent edition, organised in the last quarter of the previous year, retains Mexico as the primary destination while also incorporating Colombia. This allows seven fellows—following a rigorous selection process—to commence their placement this month for a six-month period, with four positioned in Mexico City and three in Bogotá, the capital of the Caribbean nation, and a return expected at the end of August.
