CHILE (Notifix).- Counting on excellent workers is the primary objective of the Forestry Workers Training Center recently inaugurated by Arauco in Quirihue commune, in Chilean Bío Bío Region. This center, which includes a school for forestry machine operators, is the only one of its type in Chile and is the first formal initiative to provide technical education for forestry workers.

This center will benefit young people in technical forestry public schools and the community as a whole. After participating in the forestry operator course, students will gain access to higher paying jobs, which will develop workers’ personal growth and increase resources in their communities.

This project required a $200 million investment, most of which was funded by the SENCE (national training and employment department) Labor Training program. Labor Undersecretary Fernando Arab stated the Chilean government had increased funding for this program because of a deep understanding of the contribution that can be made regarding workers’ specialization and insertion. It’s design and development is a joint effort between the Labor Ministry, Forestal Arauco S.A. and CORMA (Chilean Wood Corporation).

“This milestone is a reason for Arauco to be proud, because it is the materialization of a long-standing wish: To contribute to the education of forestry workers, who will in turn contribute to the sustainable development of the forestry industry. Our development model requires workers who excel, people that are capable of a safe and efficient job performance, while caring for and respecting the environment”, said Cristian Infante, Arauco’s President and Chief Operating Officer.