Nineteen students from the Coya School of Goldsmiths received their certification in the Basic Goldsmithing course after completing 300 hours of training. The training of the students was financed by training surpluses from Codelco División El Teniente and granted through Sence Labor Scholarships, in collaboration with the Pro O'Higgins organization.

Braulio Guzmán, general manager of Pro O'Higgins, said that "this is a ceremony that recognizes the learning of a group of goldsmith apprentices, who have acquired the basic skills and abilities to continue learning the trade. These students are qualified to access the second course next year, an advanced course, where they complete their training."

Francisco Allan Urzúa, representative of the Community Development Department of El Teniente, highlighted that “one of the pillars of community development is training and entrepreneurship. In Coya, we recognize the great potential in entrepreneurship and development of trades related to tourism. For this reason, various spaces have been opened that allow people to train.”

Meanwhile, Damián Yuri Abarca, representative of the Machalí Productive Development Office, stressed that “from the development perspective, there is a great potential for production and sales in our community. It is important to consider various facets of these issues and adopt a comprehensive vision. We are willing to support this initiative.”

“An important experience”

With more than two decades of experience, the Coya School of Goldsmiths, founded in 2001, has positively impacted the lives of more than 550 people through 54 courses and more than 10,000 hours of training.

Denis Célèry, the school's director, said: "It is a pride to be here because this basic course has been spectacular. In our history there are some courses that stand out and this is one of them, which has stood out for the spirit, the desire and the intention to undertake that most of the students have."

Mariana Carrasco, an artisan from Rengo, said that “it has been a wonderful experience from the human and technical side. I have learned a lot about design. I sell my handmade jewelry, but I don’t have a brand. So it will also help me with the subsidy to buy tools.”

On the other hand, Janett Gatica, a goldsmith from Rancagua, added that “I loved it. I think the school itself has a very complete infrastructure. I would like to have a business, to make a living from it. I come from a totally different background. I had never used my manual skills and I feel that, with this course, I have awakened a part of myself that I had not explored.”

At the end of the year, new certifications for artisans in advanced goldsmithing and jewelry are expected. In addition, a call for new courses is being prepared, the details of which are available on the Pro O'Higgins website: www.pro-higgins.cl .