16 young people from Provincia del Cartama graduate as Environmental Technicians to lead the care of ecosystems in the region

• Young people are part of the first group of beneficiaries of the Semillas del Cartama project, which seeks to contribute to the development of the Southwest of Antioquia by training young people for environmental care and management.
• Young people will enter the labor market to meet the needs of qualified labor in the region for the development of the Cartama Sostenible Alliance Project.
• Semillas del Cartama is an alliance between the Grupo Argos, Aurelio Llano, Julio C. Hernández, Comfama, SENA, Provincia de Cartama and La Pintada Concession foundations in charge of the Pacífico 2 Connection project.

With 16 young people from Southwest Antioquia graduated as Environmental Technicians, the Semillas del Cartama alliance put the first cohort of qualified labor at the service of the region for the execution of the Cartama Project, which promotes the recovery of forests on the banks of the Cartama River. Through the planting of 300,000 trees in 2021 by the Argos Business Group within the framework of the United for the Planet initiative signed with the Government of Antioquia.

During 3 semesters, these 16 young people received training from experts on topics such as solid waste management, comprehensive management of water resources and the territory. The students had the opportunity to carry out their professional internships in the region, supporting reforestation activities, advising communities on good environmental practices, and environmental education workshops with children and merchants in the region. Additionally, they received licenses for one year on knowledge platforms to strengthen their bilingual skills.

“We are convinced of the transformative role of education in the development of the territories, that is why we celebrate the graduation of this first cohort of scholarship holders who, as of today, will lead the care of the forests and ecosystems of their region, becoming our allies to promote the sustainable development of the Southwest of Antioquia ”.

María Camila Villegas – Grupo Argos Foundation Operational Director

“Aware of the importance of training people from the region to work for their territory and aligned with the good sustainability practices of our majority partner Odinsa, we bet on education as the main pillar to promote development. The Southwest is a powerful region that has stood out for its drive and warmth of its people. These young people who are graduating today are proof that the learning process is continuous and opens up great opportunities when they commit to it ”.

Gustavo Bernal – Manager of the La Pintada Concession

“For the Aurelio Llano Posada Foundation, the training of rural youth is very important, around relevant issues for their areas of origin, which allows them to consolidate their roots in the territory where they were born and at the same time provides them with an opportunity to develop professionally and personally. Therefore, we proudly receive the graduation of sixteen young people in Environmental Technology, whom we support with other organizations and companies that have a presence in the Cartama area. To the youth and their families, our appreciation and congratulations. “

Iván Darío Sánchez Hoyos – Executive Director of Aurelio Llano Posada Foundation

“Recognizing human talent, the richness of a biodiverse territory and working for local employment, is the way in which we consider that the sustainable development of a territory is promoted. Offering opportunities and tools to build life projects in the regions of Antioquia, is the decision of the joint work of this group of institutions. Today we sow seeds to continue strengthening the talent of the Southwest, we hope that these trees will grow and continue to plant many more”

Mauricio Pérez Salazar – Head of regions at Comfama.

This project joins the initiatives that the allies have been developing, in coordination with the local mayors, to promote the development of the region and contribute to the conservation of strategic ecosystems while providing educational and employment opportunities.

For its part, the Grupo Argos Foundation will continue to provide opportunities to young people in the region to allow them access to environmental training programs, sustainable livestock production, agricultural sciences and natural resources.