Palos Blancos women trained and certified within inclusive labour qualification framework

Within the framework of Inclusive Labour Qualification Projects, as run by SNV Bolivia and sponsored by REPSOL, the projects “Technical Assistance in Catering and Enhancement of Microenterprise Management” and “Labour Qualification and Enhancement of Bakery Services Associativity”, both aimed at settlers of Palos Blancos, were successfully concluded.

In December 2015, 37 people were certified in catering and 38 people in baking and pastry, within the framework of Inclusive Labour Qualification Projects (ILQI), in the area of Chimeo and Ivoca, in the department of Tarija.

The projects were developed in the community of Palos Blancos, consisting of 40 classroom hours with intensive training in each project, facilitated by chef Alejandro Vidal and baking and pastry technician Erika Vidal. Work modules focused on gastronomy, hygiene food handling and preparation, and business management and administration. This module aimed at qualifying female business owners and entrepreneurs in technical and administrative skills. This to strengthen their skills in relation to costing issues, accounting records and customer service, and to achieve effective and sustainable improvement of the income they receive.

During the closing ceremony a trade show exhibition was organised, including a tasting of the various dishes, pastries and cakes that participants had learned to prepare during the training process. Beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction with the project results and the expected impact on their income from having obtained a labour qualification. The labour competency certificates are endorsed by the Faculty of Chaco of the Gabriel René Moreno University.