- The students began to work at the La Negra and Salar plants as lithium operators, instrumentalists, electromechanics and welders.
Monday, October 17, 2022.- Within the framework of Albemarle's strategy to contribute to local employment and the quality of life of the communities where it operates, 18 young people from the Antofagasta region were hired by Albemarle for its La Negra and Salar plants, after successfully completing the second version of the Apprentice Program promoted by the lithium producer together with the National Training and Employment Service (SENCE).
This training program began in October 2020, in order to promote the talent of young professional technicians from the Antofagasta Region, who have less than five years of work experience in the non-metallic mining field, and seek to work as new operators, instrumentalists, electromechanics and lithium plant welders. In this second version, the participation of five students belonging to the indigenous communities of the Salar de Atacama was especially noteworthy.
"The students successfully completed this second version thanks to their effort, collaboration and perseverance. This allows them to enter as a lithium operator in a world-class company. This initiative is a true reflection of our commitment to the communities where we operate, and we will continue working to enhance talent to maximize people's potential and thus continue producing sustainable lithium from Chile to the world," said Diego Espinoza, Human Resources Manager at Albemarle.
Ignacio Mehech, Country Manager and VP of External Affairs at Albemarle, highlighted that "the company is proud to be able to count on the second generation of apprentices, new talents who arrive and reaffirm our commitment to the development of Antofagasta's human capital."
The second version of the Apprentices program had a special focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, also getting several young women to pass the program and be hired by the company in entry positions, as well as members of indigenous communities. "This program is an opportunity for each young person who lives in the communities, since sometimes for the same monetary resources one cannot study and the technical is complemented by this apprentice program," said Jesenia Cruz, one of the students of the program who joined the company as an operator of Wells and Pools in the Salar Plant.
Albemarle is organizing the third version of the program, which will take place during the summer of 2023. The company has made a call to be attentive to its communications through its https://www.albemarlelitio.cl/ website and other communication and community work channels.