With the aim of promoting female employability and generating new opportunities for professional development in strategic sectors for the region, 10 women from Valparaíso began their professional Class A5 driving course, as part of a program by Terminal Pacífico Sur Valparaíso (TPS), the concessionaire company of Terminal 1 of the Port of Valparaíso.
The initiative was excellently received by the beneficiaries, who will receive specialized training to obtain the professional A5 license, enabling them to drive trucks, in an industry that has historically been masculinized and faces a growing demand for professional drivers.
The program is possible thanks to the joint work between TPS, Fedequinta, the Municipal Labor Intermediation Office (OMIL) of Valparaíso, OTIC Sofofa, and Automóvil Club de Chile. While TPS and Fedequinta sponsor the initiative, OMIL of Valparaíso carried out the local call, employability evaluation, and pre-selection of candidates, in addition to accompanying them during the process of obtaining the professional license. For its part, OTIC Sofofa is in charge of the design, articulation, and technical management of the program, while Automóvil Club de Chile will be responsible for providing the specialized training.
This initiative is part of La Ruta, a program promoted by TPS that seeks to be an articulator of local development in Valparaíso, identifying needs, generating alliances, and promoting actions aimed at strengthening employability, training, and the well-being of people. Through this platform, TPS connects the public and private sectors and social organizations to promote projects that generate concrete opportunities for the community.
"This program reflects our commitment to capacity building and generating opportunities for the community. Through this course, we seek for more women to access specialized training that strengthens their employability and expands their possibilities for professional development," said Cristian Rodríguez, General Manager of TPS.
From the Municipality of Valparaíso, TPS's commitment to the training and employability of women from Valparaíso was highlighted. "This course represents a concrete opportunity for ten women to acquire a specialization that expands their possibilities of labor insertion and allows them to project themselves in an industry that has historically been more linked to men. From OMIL, we are contributing to this process, accompanying the call, selection, and employability of the participants, because we believe that when the public and private sectors work coordinately, real training and development opportunities can be generated for the residents of Valparaíso," stated Nicole Galdames, Director of Economic Development and International Cooperation of the municipality.
"The incorporation of more women into the transport and logistics sector is a challenge that requires alliances and concrete actions. From Fedequinta, we value this initiative because it provides real tools to improve employability, enhance female talent, and respond to the needs of an industry that increasingly demands qualified professional drivers," said Iván Mateluna, president of Fedequinta.
Participants positively value the course
The training program includes theoretical classes in online mode and a complete practical training process, with a total duration of 225 hours. As part of this preparation, participants will undergo training in a full-immersion simulator, designed to strengthen technical knowledge and develop driving skills in large vehicles.
Subsequently, they will advance to the practical driving stage in a Class A5 articulated truck, which includes 12 hours of individual training, allowing them to consolidate the necessary skills for safe, efficient operation in accordance with the standards of the transport industry.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the start of this course, as Paula Vásquez, from Cerro Placeres in Valparaíso, commented: "I come from a family of bus drivers and I am excited because I know I will achieve it and I will drive a truck. I have three children, one of whom is in university, it's difficult sometimes, but I'm happy for the enormous opportunity to move forward."
Fanny Ramos, from Ramaditas, said that "I am very enthusiastic about taking the course because it is something I had been waiting for a long time, the day I received the news that there was a spot I got emotional because it is a great achievement with which I will be able to support my family, which are my three children. I see myself working here in Valparaíso and I can then opt for other things, we'll see step by step but for now my goal is to finish the course."
