The 2023 Local Skills Development Program has helped more than 170 young people and adults from northern Chile gain new job skills.
The program was promoted by BHP’s Spence copper mine, which is located 162km north-east of Antofagasta. It is one of two mines that make up the Pampa Norte operation in Chile.
The program’s participants came from Chilean towns including Sierra Gorda, Baquedano and Mejillones, and they partook in training for trades and skills that can be utilised in the mining industry such as administrative work, decision-making and strategic innovation.
Welding and electrical installation courses were also held in Mejillones, which aided more than 40 secondary school students.
Juan José Latorre Secondary School third-year student Erika Alarcón said she is grateful for the support BHP provided during the program that was also promoted by Chile’s national training service.
“I think it is a good opportunity, as this way I have more possibilities of getting a job when I finish my secondary education, and in the future it will serve as an option for me to pay for my degree,” she said.
BHP Pampa Norte head of corporate affairs Úrsula Weber said the Local Skills Development Program has a positive impact on the families, close networks and local communities.
“With this program we strengthen skills and abilities, as well as empowering neighbours to better enter the labour market, as we want to make a positive contribution in each territory,” she said.
BHP recently announced its second cohort of six companies set to join the 2024 BHP Xplor accelerator program.
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