Antofagasta Minerals Awards Higher Education Scholarships for Communities in 2023

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Happiness and pride were part of the emotions experienced at the Antofagasta Minerals 2023 Higher Education Scholarships for Communities award ceremony, which was attended by the 68 young beneficiaries, as well as family members, regional and community authorities, and executives from the Mining Group. .

This program, which opens opportunities for access to higher education in territories such as Sierra Gorda, Camar, Talabre, Socaire, Peine, Calama Poniente, María Elena and Michilla, has been implemented without interruption since 2008 and has awarded more than 400 scholarships, contributing to the development and improving the employability of people from communities neighboring Antofagasta Minerals’ operations.

Human capital and employability

At the ceremony, the Government Seremi, Pablo Iriarte, commented that this educational initiative “is a very important contribution, especially for young people who are in isolated towns in large cities, enabling them to develop professionally and contribute their families and, of course, contribute to their community through greater competitions”.

Meanwhile, Jorge Araneda, manager of North Public Affairs of Antofagasta Minerals, explained that “by opening this possibility of accessing higher education, we also promote job opportunities for those who participate, and with this we contribute to improving their quality of life and that of their families, managing to promote social mobility in the communes of the region”.

more women

59% of the benefits delivered in 2023 were awarded to women, as is the case of Allison Muñoz, a young woman who is studying a Risk Prevention Technician at AIEP. “This scholarship has helped me fulfill my dreams and goals and be able to study what I have always liked. In addition, it has been a very important economic support for my family”, commented the Michilla student.

Gabriela Palta, a young woman from Talabre who is studying Nursing at the University of Antofagasta, has a similar opinion: “This benefit, in addition to being a great economic support that relieves a lot, has also been emotional support through the monitors who are in contact with one , achieving a more comprehensive well-being”.

The Antofagasta Minerals North Public Affairs Deputy Manager, Claudia Pacheco, emphasized that this initiative has a real effect on the families of the communities, since “it is also a substantial support for the maintenance of the students, who must travel from their communities to the urban centers. In addition, this scholarship contributes to social mobility for a better employability option for young people, positively impacting the lives of families”.

All-Around Careers

An outstanding fact of the Antofagasta Minerals Scholarships for Communities is that it finances the studies and operating expenses of any type of technical or professional career, not only studies related to mining. In fact, in this version, 34% of people opted for careers linked to technology and engineering, 30% for the health area and the rest is distributed among teaching, administration, law, commerce, among others.

The scholarship program is an initiative carried out by Fundación por una Carrera, an institution specializing in higher education, from where they were very happy to contribute to the professional and personal development of young people.

“We are convinced that education opens doors and generates a strong impact on the economic, labor, family and social aspects, therefore, programs like this contribute to the development of communities and especially to their young people fulfilling their dreams of accessing education. higher education”, expressed Valentina Gran, executive director of Fundación por una Carrera.

This higher education initiative is a fundamental pillar of Grupo Minero’s Employability Strategy and is part of the agreement reached with the Antofagasta Region Mining Cluster Corporation.