Conchillas, 19 December 2013.  Completion certificates for training courses provided by Montes del Plata starting in July 2012 were awarded at the Conchillas town square. The objective of these courses is to improve the skills of construction industry workers.

500 workers completed courses held in 2013, in addition to the 200 workers who had already finished courses in 2012 when the training began.

The training program encompasses more than 40 courses corresponding to various technical areas.  It was organized with the Construction Worker and Entrepreneur Training Fund (FOCAP), the Professional Technical Education Council (CETP-UTU), the construction union (SUNCA) and the metalworker´s union (UNTMRA).

The ceremony was attended by Eduardo Brenta, Minister of Labour and Social Security Luis María Rodríguez, new general manager of Montes del Plata Ignacio Otegui, President of the Construction Chamber Eduardo Davyt, Director of CETP-UTU Wilson Netto, President of ANEP and union leaders and representatives contractors.

During the ceremony, Minister Brenta noted that "we are witnessing the birth of a new country" and that the courses taken by the 700 workers Montes del Plata "shows the willingness and commitment to start and complete a training course that will open many doors for them in the future" to attain "better quality jobs with better pay."

In his first public activity as General Manager of Montes del Plata, Luis María Rodríguez shared his joy with those present for the event and noted that many construction workers originally hired to work during the construction of the mill have been now hired as part of the operations team. "That is the proof of the value of these training activities," he underscored.

Ignacio Otegui the Construction Chamber stated that "the newly learned skills are, firstly, a benefit for all the workers and their families" and "will be available for the construction industry in a time when it is of the utmost importance to be ready for future challenges."

The courses held in 2012 included welding, scaffolding, structure assembly, hoisting, tubing, torqueing, mechanical assembly and slinging.

The results were evident immediately given that many of the workers who finished these courses where hired once again to participate in the assembly of the Punta Pereira mill, thanks to their newly acquired skills.

The courses taught in 2013 included, electricity, instruments, professional painting, insulation, mobile equipment, tubing and accessories and welding performance accreditation.

The courses were held five times a week during the last two hours of the work day. There was a total of 25,000 training hours held.

SUNCA president Faustino Rodríguez stated that "it is very important for these kinds of undertakings to bring further benefits to the country, in addition to their own operations."

"We are being trained to have sustained work and to help the country," he added.

The workers participating in these training sessions were ed by a committee composed of members of SUNCA, UNTMRA, the construction companies and Montes del Plata.

610 people were ed in 2012. Given the demand generated, the program was renewed in 2013 and reached 1,100 workers, almost doubling last year`s attendees.

The courses included theoretical and hands on modules as well as a third compulsory on the job safety component led by Montes del Plata experts. Minimum attendance and a final exam for each module are required to pass the training courses.