Higüey.-The National Institute of Professional Technical Training (Infotep) brought together representatives of companies from the Eastern region at the Produal Business Meeting, an initiative aimed at strengthening the link between technical-professional training and the needs of the productive sector.

During the activity, the advances of the dual training model were presented, which integrates learning in training centers with practice in companies, with the purpose of increasing employability, strengthening business competitiveness and contributing to the development of human talent.

Representing the general director of Infotep, Maira Morla Pineda, the Eastern deputy regional director, Radamés Jiménez, stated that the integration between technical training and practical experience constitutes a key element to increase productivity and prepare professionals capable of responding to the demands of the industry and services.

"Through Podual we seek to train new leaders and facilitate the transition of apprentices towards formal employment, thanks to the commitment of the companies that make this model possible," said Jiménez.

During the day, the director of Business Competitiveness of Infotep, Rayza Pichardo, presented the conference "Bridge between Training and Employment", where she presented the main results achieved by the Dual Training Program. She reported that Produal maintains alliances with 349 companies, It has trained 10,664 graduates and currently develops 1,381 apprentices in 166 training offers.

Pichard highlights that 68% of the participants continue to work in the company where they completed their apprenticeship, while 76.37% work in occupations related to their training. Furthermore, 90.36% of graduates expressed satisfaction with the training received and 94.40% considered that the knowledge acquired has been very useful for their work performance.

Companies highlight results of dual training

As part of the meeting, the panel "Produal Experiences and Good Practices" was developed, in which the participants were Jesús Pineda Marcano, manager of the Consortium Azucarero de Empresas Industriales (CAEI); Francisco Capellán, general manager of ElectroCapellán; and Alfredo Williams, deputy director of GrupoMartinón.

Moderated by Yomary Lantigua, head of the Infotep Dual Training Program Division, the discussion allowed for the exchange of experiences on the impact of the model on the training of human talent.

Business representatives agreed that Produal facilitates the identification and retention of qualified personnel, while strengthening technical skills, discipline, commitment and sense of belonging, becoming an effective response to the needs of the labor market.

Recognition of business commitment

Within the framework of the activity, Infotep recognized the companies in the Eastern region that have supported the development of the Dual Training Program as training organizations. These include Grupo Viamar, Palladium Hotels, Hotel Bahía Príncipe, Montilla Motors, and Vegamóvil.

Also Hotel Royalton Bávaro and Punta Cana, El Mundo de lasTransmisiones, Central Romana, Imperial Tobacco La Romana, CostasurDominicana, Grupo Rayal, InversionesFagarros, Caribbean Catering Services, in addition to the companies represented by the panelists.

On behalf of the recognized companies, Gladismil Heredia Jiménez, Human Resources Manager at La Finca Unidad, assessed the impact of the program and stated: "We are Produal, because this program is transforming companies and generating opportunities for the development of human talent."