Buen Trabajo (“Good Job”)

Objective

To match qualified workers in Argentina with available jobs in the manufacturing sector through a short training programme.

Overview and Main Activities

Since 2007, in Argentina, The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) has led a public-private partnership with various organizations, including its suppliers and Manpower, to help unemployed, vulnerable young people ages 18 to 35 gain skills through a free, certified training programme called “Buen Trabajo”, which translates into “Good Job” in English. Training focuses on skill development in the petrochemical, oil, industrial, cereal and service labour markets. Many Dow employees are actively involved in the programme as instructors. The uniqueness of this project lies in the continuity and strength of the alliance — industry, academia, government, unions, Dow customers, suppliers, NGOs and communities.

The programme was developed in the City of Bahía Blanca, where Dow operates its most important Ethylene and Polyethylene site in Latin America. The initiative was a result of regular dialogue with community stakeholders through the Dow Community Advisory Panel (CAP) and is a response to concern related about unemployment rates among young people, currently around 20%, that affects approximately 6,500 youth ages 19 to 24. Key suppliers were surveyed to determine required technical skills and expectations for future growth. Dow led the creation of an alliance with key partners like local government offices that deliver training; suppliers, who review the programmes and provide instructors; and Manpower and Universidad del Salvador, which offer training on soft competencies like self-confidence, writing a CV and interviewing.

Dow is the main funding source for the project, which began with the construction of training rooms and practicing aisles that accommodated the necessary equipment. Later, Dow invited other companies to join and support the programme, as well as local unions and customers. Courses include welding, scaffolding, industrial painting, pipe-fitting, computer design, instrumentation technician, driver of heavy equipment and pallets assembling. Each course also includes EH&S training on critical industrial standards.

Since the programme began, 1,200 participants have taken part. The programme has received eight awards so far, and has been nominated by the US Embassy in Argentina for the Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence in 2008. The initiative has received positive recognition from different stakeholder as a successful solution for current lack of specific competencies for local industrial and services market. Community leaders, media and elected officials consider the programme an effective model of private-public sector partnership to address the issue of unemployment and poor job competencies in Bahia Blanca.

Success Factors and Challenges

Most critical success factors:

• Provision of free, certified training courses
• Training facilities
• Strength and pertinence of the public-private alliance
• Long- term commitment and successful results in terms of level of completion and hiring rates
• Focus on youth unemployment
• Formal mechanism for both dialogue and decision among stakeholders
• Detailed process for enrolment and promotion of hiring rates
• Media coverage and communications efforts to promote the programme

Main challenges:

• Absence of Human Resource departments in most regional offices
• Need to diversify funding sources for the programme
• Cost restrictions
• Need to adequately coordinate different interests and agendas of various stakeholders

Recommendations for Others

It is critical to assign an individual to: liaise with participants and address personal situations that can become obstacles to training; follow up with graduates upon completion to evaluate impact and effectiveness; and provide feedback to programme instructors.

It is important to develop a complete database of all participants’ skills to promote them whenever there is a job opportunity. Commitment from suppliers to hire graduates is critical for the effectiveness and reputation of the programme. Third-party evaluations help identify opportunities for improvement and close any identified gaps.

Replicability and Scalability

How easily could other organizations implement this initiative?
Difficult: The programme requires an assessment of the skills needed, agreement and alignment of critical stakeholders as well as educational and economic resources.

How easily can this initiative be expanded to include a larger number of participants?
Easy: Need to find new sponsors close to the industrial location and tap into available government funding or tax incentive programmes.

About the Organization

Website: www.dow.com
Sector: Chemicals
Size (number of employees): 10,000-50,000
Headquarters: Midland, United States

For Further Engagement

Contact name: Marcela Guerra
Contact position: Bahía Blanca Site Public Affairs Manager
Email: [email protected]