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Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Jale por el Agua

Estados Unidos - Mexico

Project under implementation

Description

Skills for Sustainability (S4S) is a digital, life and technical skills training and employment placement support project for vulnerable and low-income populations, specifically for positions in the water and wastewater management sector on the US-Mexico border. This project is funded by the generous contribution of the North American Development Bank (NADBank), Microsoft, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the WaterHouse Group.

Project purpose

This project seeks to provide people from vulnerable communities with training in skills currently demanded by the water industry, and link them with companies that urgently require a trained workforce to run their facilities, improving the service of this scarce resource and promoting the sustainable development of the US-Mexico border.

Project goals

Provide training in digital, life and technical skills to people from vulnerable communities in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, United States.

Train 200 people in Ciudad Juárez and 200 people in El Paso, and link at least 50% of S4S participants to quality job opportunities within the water sector.

Certify S4S participants in water and wastewater operation or other related technical skills.

Promote the sustainable development of the region and improve water distribution and treatment service on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Main achievements

Since May 2023, we have provided 66 quality economic opportunities.

Since May 2023, we have successfully graduated 89 participants

Structure

Job facilitation

Employment placement in companies in the water sector

Training

Training in digital, life, and technical skills

Certification

Certification for water and wastewater operation

mentorship

Mentoring and other technical certifications

Stipends

Stipends that recognize participants’ time and expenses

Strategic partners

Success Stories

Rafael Vizcaíno Perales: From Opportunity Seeker to Water Professional

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

Rafael Vizcaíno Perales (28 years old) shares his inspiring success story after engaging in an exciting journey of learning and professional growth through the “Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Jale por el Agua” Project, implemented in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, by The Trust for the Americas and Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad AC, with the support of NadBank, Microsoft, and Water House.

Initially, Rafael was in search of job opportunities and wished to acquire new skills to stand out in the competitive job market. That's when he discovered the project offered by JCC, which provided free training in the plumbing and water purification sector.

Determined to seize this valuable opportunity, Rafael committed to absorbing every knowledge imparted during the training program. With dedication and effort, Rafael not only acquired new skills but also stood out for his commitment and determination.

Thanks to the support and training received from the JCC team, Rafael managed to secure a new job at Water House. This new position not only offers him a platform to apply his new skills but also promises professional growth opportunities in the future.

Rafael Vizcaíno Perales's story is an inspiring testimony of how access to training and personal commitment can open doors to a promising and opportunity-filled future.

Breaking Barriers: Imelda López's Plumbing Success Stor

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua

Imelda López (23 years old) shares her exciting success story after participating in plumbing classes offered through the "Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Jale por el Agua" project implemented in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, by The Trust for the Americas and Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad AC, with the support of NadBank, Microsoft, and Water House.

Despite the entrenched stereotypes surrounding professions related to plumbing, Imelda felt motivated to defy gender expectations and pursue her dreams.

Through the "Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Jale por el Agua" project, she acquired technical skills and practical knowledge in the plumbing field, allowing her to tackle challenges and perform tasks with the same competence as her male colleagues.

This achievement not only filled her with personal pride but also demonstrated to herself and others that gender should not be a barrier to pursuing goals. Imelda's story is an inspiring testimony of determination, overcoming obstacles, and female empowerment in a field traditionally dominated by men.

            Which of the following SDGS (Sustainable Development Goals) this project support?
        

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