South American regions expand vocational training and technical education

Various regional and national initiatives are expanding vocational training and technical education across South America.

In Argentina, the Ministry of Human Capital has extended the application period for the Progresar Formación Profesional scholarship until November 27, 2026. This program provides monthly stipends of 35,000 pesos to help students complete trade courses. Additionally, several provinces are launching specialized training: Formosa is conducting mobile workshops for cell phone repair, La Pampa is certifying agricultural machinery mechanics, and Chubut has partnered with the fishing company Cabo Vírgenes to train quality control assistants. In Santiago del Estero, a new agreement between IOSEP and ITSE will facilitate educational internships for students.

In Chile, the government is focusing on social reintegration through vocational training. In Valdivia, youth at the IP-IRC center recently completed a pastry operations course through the SENCE Los Ríos program. Meanwhile, in Uruguay, the government of Durazno has launched a program allowing 1,000 young people to obtain driver's licenses for free upon completion of road safety training.

Other regional efforts include renewable energy field visits for students in Aysén, Chile, and teacher training in renewable energy technologies in Mendoza, Argentina.