Participants are now accredited by the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) and the company Indura, thanks to the C20+ and Sence Training and Employability Program, which aims to promote skilled labor in the region.

After completing the Training and Employability Program offered through the C20+ Project — responsible for building the desalination plant for Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi — 153 residents from the communes of Pica, Alto Hospicio, Pozo Almonte, and Iquique received certifications in job-related skills in electricity, plumbing, and welding.

The trainees received accreditation from the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) after passing exams administered by a certification body such as Universidad de Las Américas, coordinated by the C20+ Project. Meanwhile, welding certification was conducted by the company Indura.

“I was given the opportunity to obtain this SEC certification. It’s a very good qualification that allows you to perform this work and have solid backing,” said Héctor Bracho, a resident of Alto Hospicio, who was certified as a Class 3 gas installer. Similarly, Isabel Millares, a student at William Taylor Methodist High School, praised the training: “It feels amazing because it’s a great opportunity to learn. This course helped us go deeper into the subject and contributes to our future careers.”

Luis Zúñiga, principal of Robert Johnson Methodist School, expressed his gratitude: “We’re thankful for this experience with Collahuasi, Sence, and the C20+ Project, which has provided graduates from technical high schools in the region with more tools to improve their lives and those of their families.”

Thanks to this training cycle, these new technical professionals now see better prospects for their future and quality of life in the Tarapacá Region. “This process represents a major step in technical training, as it allows people to access better jobs or launch their own ventures. With the contribution the C20+ Project is making to the region, we are actively boosting employability,” noted Roberto Quijada, Integration Manager of the C20+ Project at Collahuasi.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this initiative was its practical focus, which has already enabled 43% of newly certified technicians to find employment — turning the certification into a concrete tool for job opportunities. “This is a significant moment because it’s helping build capacities in the people of Tarapacá and developing their skills for high-demand jobs, not only in mining but in other sectors as well,” said Iván Escares, Regional Director of Sence.

María Luisa Arecheta, Senior Communities Supervisor of the C20+ Project, added, “We now have 93 certified Class D electricians, 25 new Class 3 certified gas installers by the SEC, and 34 manual arc welders certified from 1G to 4G. In this way, we are honoring the values of our C20+ Project related to community engagement.”