Thanks to the training and job placement program “Juntos juegamos de Local”, Codelco División El Teniente increased the hiring of local labor by collaborating companies to 67% and reached the highest percentage of the state mining company. During 2024, the initiative trained more than 110 people from the O'Higgins region, in courses such as lifting equipment operator, infrastructure fortification for underground mines, Jumbo operator and SEC electrician.

“What we seek is to develop the capacities and skills of our neighbors to increase local employment and provide better and greater opportunities for incorporation into mining and its associated sectors,” explains Teodoro Schmidt, senior specialist in Codelco's Social Management Department.

The program, which is part of one of Codelco's sustainability commitments for 2030, aims to provide people from different localities in the area of influence of the company's divisions, such as El Teniente, with the possibility of accessing employment within their region, where job opportunities are linked in service and operational support companies, in accordance with local job offers.

In Rancagua, the collaborative effort is carried out with organizations such as Talento Local and institutions such as the Santo Tomás Institute, which has just certified 50 students in courses on lifting equipment operation techniques and infrastructure fortification techniques for underground mines.

“Around 60% of our students are women and they prepare in face-to-face courses that last around 300 hours, always with safety as the most relevant topic. In their preparation they receive practical knowledge and we are even using virtual reality,” says Nelson Acuña, director of Santo Tomás Continuing Education, Rancagua campus.

Partner companies participate in the Program

Leonardo Montenegro, director of Talento Local, an initiative whose purpose is to engage with communities through a model of vocational training, certification and employment, explains that “in the case of El Teniente, the program aims at the direct contribution of labor to contracting companies. So far, DMC Mining, Gardilcic and Aura are already participating with us.”

“To enter the course, applicants must take all the pre-employment tests required by the contracting company, such as alcohol and drug tests, height tests, audiometry tests, and risk aversion tests, among others. They must then pass the trade and an emergency management module in underground mining. After passing the safety courses, the company begins the selection and hiring process,” he adds.

Afterwards, the people continue the learning process within the company, with a period of one month of adaptation and three months accompanied by an instructor dedicated exclusively to the student. Finally, they continue for another three months working on what they studied accompanied by a tutor. After this period, they join the company permanently.