A Journey of Empowerment?

In 2018, Santiago Villalba’s older brother, Brian, started the Tu Empleo programme led by the Buenos Aires-based organisation Fundación EMPUJAR (“Push” in English). The decision would change the course of both of their lives.??

“Brian used to work where I’m working,” Santiago, now 18, said referring to Quilmes Mercado, a large fruit and vegetable market in the Greater Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area. “Now, he works at Accenture.” However, Santiago will be quitting his job as a truck loader at the market this week. He just graduated from Tu Empleo (“Your Job” in English), and through it, has been offered his first salaried job at a computer assembly company—all thanks to the same programme his brother entered years ago.?

Tu Empleo includes mock interviews with HR representatives from real businesses. Santiago participated in one and the interviewer was so impressed, the company called him and offered him a job. “It was really very sudden,” said Santiago.?

Brian had encouraged his brother to apply, telling him about his experience in Tu Empleo. Brian, now 27, enrolled at 16, after EMPUJAR came to give a talk at his school about Tu Empleo.

Supported by EMpower, the programme aims to help underserved youth by equipping them to enter and retain jobs in the formal job market in Argentina. Participants range from 18 to 24 years-old and have graduated or are in the process of graduating high school. Over 2,822 young people have completed the programme since its start in 2013, many of whom have already found employment in the formal job market.?

Tu Empleo focuses on training in both job and life skills, including: how to job hunt, how to write a CV, mock interviews, and marketing—skills marginalised young people might not be equipped with.?

In addition to Tu Empleo, EMPUJAR also offers courses in IT and entrepreneurship—helping to train, mentor, and support young people. Youth unemployment is high in Argentina (18.57%). Coupled with the country’s inflation rate (over 115%), it’s a difficult climate for those just entering the workforce.?

The brothers come from a family of seven siblings. In addition to Brian and Santiago, both their older brother and father currently work at the vegetable market. Their brother got a hernia from his work loading produce trucks, making Santiago start to consider finding other work—especially after seeing Brian’s trajectory.?

EMPUJAR supported Brian in securing a job at a glass assembly company. From there he springboarded to a position at a tech company, and later accepted a job at Accenture. During this time, Brian also began studying at the University of Buenos Aires, and is currently pursuing a degree in economics, with dreams of becoming the Argentine Minister of the Economy.?

Tu Empleo includes a job support phase for a year after participants graduate. EMPUJAR regularly checks in with the new hire and the company and provides continuing education and access to their employment portal.?

While still in high school, Santiago dreamed of studying to become a CPA, but then the pandemic happened. “My head was revolutionized. I finished the last year of high school during the pandemic. It was a downer for me in every way,” Santiago said.

“EMPUJAR helped me to orient myself and clarify what I wanted,” said Santiago.?

Currently, the Tu Empleo programme runs for five months. Courses are given three days a week, for two and a half hours at a time, with two days virtual and one in-person. The hybrid structure is intentional, to allow students the flexibility to work while taking classes, as many help to support their families.??

Though his schedule was challenging, Santiago was determined to finish the programme. He would typically wake up at 4 a.m., then take three buses to get to the market. “It was complicated because…I worked from 5 to 10 in the morning…It’s exhausting work,” said Santiago.??

When Santiago finished his shift, he would find an empty vegetable stall to use as a makeshift classroom. Setting up his phone and notebook up on a display table, he would connect to the class via his cellphone for the next two and a half hours. He would then go home, sometimes doing his homework on the bus, try to take a nap, eat dinner, then go to bed early.??

He cites the people of EMPUJAR as one of the main reasons he was able to find the drive to complete the course.

“More than anything, [EMPUJAR taught me how] to learn. EMPUJAR helped me to have more self-confidence.”?

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