A group of twelve unemployed people have completed this week their training in the operation and maintenance of quarry machinery in a training course given by the Escuela del Mármol de Fines, a training centre attached to the Andalusian Employment Service and National Reference Centre for Vocational Training in the Extractive Industries family. The course has allowed students to acquire a complete preparation in the handling and maintenance of loaders, hydraulic excavators and dumpers in open-cast mines.
The course consisted of 615 hours of theoretical and practical training, including the qualification to correctly carry out loading, unloading, excavation and movement operations with loaders, hydraulic excavators and dumpers, as well as the maintenance of this machinery, in accordance with safety measures. In addition, the students will take two complementary modules on job placement and job-seeking techniques.
Nine men and three women have completed this training programme, half of whom are over 35 years old, 33% are between 26 and 35 years old and the remaining 17% are 25 years old or younger. In terms of educational level, 50% of the group has a Compulsory Secondary Education qualification, four people have primary education, one person has a higher technical qualification and another has no qualification.
This training action is part of the 2021-2023 programme of the Marble School, which includes eight training actions – seven itineraries of different specialities and the FPE teaching course – totalling 3,910 teaching hours, with work experience in companies, aimed at 120 unemployed people. This programme responds to the needs of natural stone companies and the occupations most in demand in the sector.
The students can apply for the grants and aid established for unemployed people participating in training actions of Vocational Training for Employment for transport, meals, accommodation and reconciliation with the care of children under six years or dependent relatives, and grants for assistance to people with disabilities and certain groups of unemployed people established by the SAE and that require a differentiated action to facilitate their qualification or requalification to enable their participation in specific programs.
New itinerary for programming CNC machines
On the other hand, the application period for enrolment in the training itinerary of programming and operation of numerical control machines (CNC), a speciality that, in Spain, is only taught in the Almeria centre, is still open until 23 August. It will take place from October 2022 to April 2023, with a total of 615 teaching hours, and includes qualification in another speciality in high demand both by marble companies and other activities: handling loads. In addition, training and employment guidance will be provided to students so that they are aware of employment support resources and increase their chances of finding work.
To be able to participate in this training action, it is necessary to be registered as a non-occupational job seeker in the SAE and to have the title of Graduate in Compulsory Secondary Education or equivalent.