Young Scholarship Recipients Complete Short Professional Training Courses
CABAÑAS – Representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United States Government and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology presented graduation diplomas to 77 young scholarship recipients who completed their Short Vocational Training Courses at the Megatec Ilobasco. The activity is part of the Scholarships for Educational Opportunities Project, implemented by IOM with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Education, José Mauricio Pineda; the Vice Minister of Diaspora and Mobility, Cindy Portal; the United States Ambassador to El Salvador, William H. Duncan; the IOM Chief of Mission for El Salvador and Honduras, Nicola Graviano; and the rector of the Catholic University of El Salvador, Monsignor Miguel Ángel Morán Aquino, the institution that administers the Ilobasco Megatec.
After completing their studies in tourism, geriatric care or dairy processing, the scholarship recipients from the Megatec Ilobasco branch are part of the second cohort of 273 beneficiaries graduating from short vocational training courses. In the coming days, graduation diplomas will also be awarded at the Megatec centers in Sonsonate, Chalatenango, Zacatecoluca, Morazán and Santa Ana. In 2022, the first cohort, which brought together 421 beneficiaries, graduated.
“We know that Salvadorans have a strong personal drive and seek opportunities to excel and as the U.S. government, we are committed to continuing to support their development,” said Ambassador Duncan.
The Scholarships for Educational Opportunities Project contributes to the development of educational and labor competencies of the beneficiaries so that they can be placed in the labor market. Their soft skills are strengthened and professional guidance is provided so that they can obtain long-term formal employment and improve their living conditions.
“If we want to mitigate the irregular migration of youth, it is critical to provide them with educational opportunities that allow them to develop their potential and contribute to the growth of their communities,” Graviano commented.
In addition, this project serves more than 2,300 people who were outside the education system under flexible modalities and approximately 1,100 students in technical vocational training programs. By the end of the year, the first group of 500 scholarship holders in technical careers is expected to graduate.
