88.124 people have registered to train in construction

A total of 88.124 people have registered in the Registry for the National Training Program for Construction Workers, an instrument that was enabled a week ago by the national government.

“It has exceeded our expectations for a first week,” said Wuikelman Ángel, president of the National Institute for Socialist Training and Education (Inces), in an interview with Últimas Noticias.

The official explained that this figure corresponds to those registered through the Patria System, which was concentrated in Greater Caracas, and the Inces platform, which had national reach. These are two of the three channels where interested parties can register.

“While the Patria platform attracted 69.428, Inces attracted 25.130, and that speaks to a tradition, a link that this institution has with the world of construction,” he emphasized.
Ángel explained that of these more than 88.000 registered, 41.2016 are in the Capital District, 19.000 in La Guaira, and 8.866 in the state of Miranda.

On the way to 100.000.

The president of Inces emphasized that they still need to consolidate the records obtained through the municipal system, which is another registration method. "We will surely exceed 100.000 people in the first week," he added.

He highlighted that among the most in-demand occupations are trades related to masonry, painting, electrician, machine operator, master builder, blueprint interpreter, welders and blacksmiths.

“As the President (Delcy Rodríguez) said, we are talking about bricklayers, plumbers, welders, blacksmiths, carpenters, all those occupations that have a direct link with construction. Not only houses, but structures,” he emphasized.

He recalled that the intention of the head of state is to summon wills and capabilities to begin massively developing the renovation, repair, and construction not only of housing complexes, but also of infrastructure.
Ángel explained that among those registered there are not only people without experience, but also those who have some knowledge, so they will be part of the training staff, which was made explicit in the instrument that the interested parties filled out.

Another interesting fact they observed in these 88.124 registered users is that 58,6% are men and 41,4% are women.
“It’s because women are expressing themselves and wanting to participate in a sector that was traditionally linked only to men. This also speaks to the policy of gender inclusion and shows that women are embracing any proposal that is cutting-edge,” she emphasized.
Young population present. Ángel specified that people between 18 and 60 years of age have registered, with an average age of 40.8 years.

“The young population, aged 18 to 35, represents 32.4%; we are talking about 22.498 young people who fill us with great expectation and enthusiasm because it speaks to the willingness of a young sector that, having little or no experience in the construction industry, is saying: 'I want to join. Count me in. Here I am,'” he added.

The 36-50 age group, comprising approximately 46,5%, or 32.283 of those enrolled, represents a significant portion of our accumulated experience and security. "For us, this is a key source of our expertise," he emphasized.

Finally, those over 51 years of age comprise 21% of those enrolled (14.647 people). “Another important segment, as they can be facilitators, trainers, and tutors for those who accompany us, in addition to the accumulated experience that a person over 50 years of age represents,” he indicated.

He highlighted that 56% of those registered (38.847 people) have no experience in the construction sector, which allows them to design the action and logistics plan. Meanwhile, 18% have one to four years of experience, and 26% have more than five years of practical experience.

The record also shows that 13.239 people have a high school diploma, which is 52,7% of those registered, while 5.193 people have a primary education.

“These are important figures because these 5.193 people, in addition to being included in the construction plan and in the labor field, we have plans for these people to complete their Productive Baccalaureate with Inces,” the official highlighted, adding that 3.261 people (13%) have university studies.

“It’s not just those we might think are operators or at an artisan level who are coming, but also those with university knowledge,” he stated.

It also highlights that 21.231 people stated that they have empirical knowledge, so their knowledge will be certified.

Learning by doing

Although the registration phase continues, the enrollment and training phases are now beginning. The training will consist of 30% theory and 70% practice, which will take place in spaces that will be workshop classrooms where the infrastructure works are being carried out.

“We already have 18 construction projects underway with the Ministry of Public Works, in addition to the Inces facilities in Greater Caracas. We have a space set up in Camurí Chico to carry out this comprehensive training process. And then we are inviting companies (…) that want to participate as partners,” he reported.

Regarding the link to employment, he explained that this is not the responsibility of Inces, but of the Ministry of Public Works and the Venezuela Renace plan.

“But the President, from the very beginning of the announcement, has said that those who are trained and participate in this process will be linked from a labor point of view,” he commented.

He noted that these initiatives are important because they revive the construction sector, which was hit hard by the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the country.

The president of Inces requested support throughout the training process, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in the institution by the national government. Inces, which is celebrating its 67th anniversary, is contributing its experience to this plan to help those affected by the double earthquake of June 24th.

“Then comes the human aspect. It's about capturing the feeling of a man, a woman who, from their ability to build, from their ability to act, puts themselves at the service of the country,” he emphasized.

Learning in camps

Wilkeman Ángel emphasized that since the events of June 24, Inces has collaborated with other state entities to assist those affected by the double earthquake. For this reason, they have brought their training expertise to the temporary camps housing those who lost their homes.

His idea was that the training should have a psychosocial component. “That is, to keep people occupied, to care for them, but also to offer them opportunities to develop through training processes, and the experience was successful,” he said.

The culinary arts area was one of the most in-demand. However, training was also offered in construction, tourism, entrepreneurship, and other fields.