Youth employment and training programs launched in Uruguay and Chile

In Uruguay, the state energy company UTE and the Institute for Children and Adolescents (INAU) have renewed an agreement to provide 30 annual job placements for youth aged 16 to 24. Since 2006, the program has benefited 191 young people across 14 departments. The updated agreement introduces post-program trajectory monitoring, training for receiving teams, and a specific mental health protocol to coordinate responses during critical situations.

In Chile, the Collahuasi mining company is expanding its workforce through its Foundation in the Tarapacá region. Approximately 230 young people joined the company this year, with an additional 39 beginning training for the 2026 generation. Since 2009, the Apprentices Program has trained nearly 2,000 individuals, with over 400 graduates currently working as operators. The initiative, conducted in partnership with Inacap Iquique, focuses on connecting technical education with mining industry employment.