New Mobile Training Initiative Launched to Empower Rural Communities in Tenerife

On November 25, 2023, a groundbreaking initiative was introduced in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, aimed at improving employment opportunities for residents in rural and isolated neighborhoods. This collaborative effort between the Cabildo of Tenerife, Cruz Roja, and the Insular Foundation for Training, Employment and Business Development (Fifede) seeks to bridge the gap in access to job training and counseling services.

Transforming Employment Training with a Mobile Solution

The newly launched mobile unit represents a significant step forward in delivering essential training and job counseling directly to those who need it most. By traveling through various municipalities, this innovative vehicle ensures that individuals seeking employment or looking to enhance their professional skills can access vital resources without the hindrance of long travel distances.

Efraín Medina, the Insular Councillor for Employment, Education, and Youth, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that it aims to provide crucial job information and resources to the island’s most vulnerable populations. He emphasized that this project not only seeks to improve employment prospects but also fosters collaboration between public and private sectors in tackling unemployment challenges across Tenerife.

Advancing Social Inclusion Through Innovative Solutions

Heliodoro González, the provincial president of Cruz Roja in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, articulated the organization’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of employment. The mobile unit, which has been creatively repurposed from an ambulance, will serve as a dedicated space for counseling and training in remote areas, effectively dismantling barriers that hinder access to job opportunities.

González described the initiative as a beacon of movement, connection, and hope, reinforcing the commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunities for all. He commended the partnership with the Cabildo of Tenerife and Fifede for their investment in this pilot project, which aspires to promote dignified and future-oriented employment for the island’s residents.

Operational Framework and Financial Commitment

The initiative, titled ‘In Line with Employment: Investing in a Mobile Itinerary,’ is part of the larger ‘Barrios for Employment: Stronger Together’ project. This comprehensive program, launched by the Cabildo of Tenerife, focuses on facilitating job placement for vulnerable individuals through a combination of training, guidance, and direct support tailored to their specific needs.

With a substantial budget of nearly 4 million euros allocated to the ‘Barrios for Employment’ project, the Cabildo has specifically earmarked 20,000 euros for the mobile unit initiative. This funding will ensure that the unit is adequately staffed with a driver and one or two job orientation technicians, who will provide personalized support during training sessions.

During operations, a tent will be set up outside the mobile unit, equipped with six laptops to accommodate training for groups of six to twelve individuals at a time. This setup will also include a designated mentoring area and an additional laptop for users to engage in essential tasks such as creating their CVs, as highlighted by the Cabildo. This thoughtful arrangement aims to create a conducive learning environment that addresses the unique challenges faced by residents in rural and peripheral neighborhoods of Tenerife.

The mobile training initiative is a direct response to the pressing social realities experienced by many residents in these areas, where access to services and mobility can pose significant challenges. By bringing training and job counseling directly to their doorsteps, the program aims to empower individuals and foster a sense of community resilience.

Key points

• The Cabildo of Tenerife and Cruz Roja have launched a mobile unit for training and job counseling.
• The initiative targets rural areas and isolated neighborhoods in Tenerife.
• The project aims to enhance employment opportunities and skills without requiring long travel distances.
• Funding for the mobile unit comes from the ‘Barrios for Employment’ project, with a specific allocation of 20,000 euros.
• The mobile unit will be staffed with technicians and equipped with laptops for training sessions.
• The initiative is part of a broader commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunities.