Pantaleon believes in the potential of women as agents of change in society!
At Pantaleon, we believe in equal opportunities for women and men in the world of work. This is why, from June to October, 25 women from the communities of Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa and La Gomera were trained as Tractor Operators, developing technical and behavioral skills.
Adapting to the needs of women, a technical course was developed. The course consisted of three theoretical and practical training modules with a total duration of 174 hours. In addition, the participants received 8 hours of classes every Saturday for five months, receiving food and transportation from their communities to the training facilities.
The modules were divided as follows:
Comprehensive development (24 hrs.): This first module was designed in partnership with Fundazúcar, the social arm of the sugar mills in Guatemala, specifically to generate skills and prepare women to enter the world of work. The module included essential topics such as self-esteem and women’s empowerment, leadership with values, comprehensive health and family planning, our code of ethics and conduct, occupational health and safety, communication skills, teamwork, and adaptation to the work environment. One of the most important topics was comprehensive health and family planning. In addition, the importance of addressing fundamental issues such as the female reproductive system, preventive health, and nutritional counseling was evident.
Agricultural tractor operator (110 hrs): This second module was carried out in partnership with the Technical Institute for Training and Productivity (INTECAP, for its acronym in Spanish). The module was divided into three phases. In the first phase, theoretical contents were taught so that the participating women became familiar with the elements and parts of an agricultural tractor, traffic regulations, engine operation, and the essential maintenance of the agricultural tractor. The second phase was carried out in a farm tractor simulator. The women learned about farm tractor indicators, driving controls, driving in different weather and terrain conditions, and driving drills in risky situations. Finally, the third phase was taught in the field, where applicable contents were introduced, such as the physical knowledge of the agricultural tractor, maneuvering operations, coupling and uncoupling of the implement, and calibration and maneuvering operations with the tool.
Specialization in agricultural work (40 hrs): This module was also carried out in partnership with INTECAP. Women specialized in agricultural work in this phase, specifically in planting and mechanical harvesting. Contents such as row alignment, efficiencies, specific aspects of harvesting tractor operation, risk overview, and collision prevention techniques were taught.
Upon completing the program, the women immediately received a certification and license that allowed them to operate agricultural machinery; this represents an opportunity to work in other mills and non-agricultural industries.
We are proud that these 25 women demonstrated a high level of understanding and commitment and have completed the course. Currently, 50% of women have been hired. The other 50% are in the hiring process and projecting to be employed in 2023.
