Successful Corfo's English scholarship program comes to an endPublished: January 25, 2010
Students from CORFO's English program finished the courses delivered this year throughout Chile with increased scores on the TOEIC and new job opportunities.
Close to 3,000 people received their diploma for having completed CORFO's English Scholarship Program. The courses were arranged for the Global Services Industry and Special Interest Tourism in 2009.
The program concluded successfully by the end of December and the majority of students passed with high English scores.
Close to 3,000 people certified in English were registered in CORFO's National English Registry. This tool allows companies in need of English speakers to find suitable employees.
"We are very proud of what we have achieved this year. Course participants know that their opportunities for holding better jobs or doing business, as is the case of tourism, will increase significantly as they improve their skills", commented CORFO's Executive Vice-president, Carlos Álvarez.
English for Global ServicesIn 2008, the first round of CORFO's English Scholarship Program for Technicians and Professionals in the Global Services Industry was carried out with excellent results. The pilot initiative was held in Santiago with only 1,000 scholarships.
This achievement led the initiative to be repeated in 2009 with 2,000 people throughout Chile. The course used modern methodologies and included over 350 hours, with a minimum of 15 hours per week. The aim is to recreate a study experience similar to that of an English-speaking environment.
Forty-four percent of the students increased their TOEIC scores by 100 to 200 points, thereby improving job and salary prospects. In fact, 67% of the participants reached the minimum level of English needed to work in the Global Services Industry.
English and TourismWhen the Special Interest Tourism Cluster was established, the Strategic Council in charge stressed the need to have English-speaking personnel to help Chile attract more tourists.
The Chilean government then launched CORFO's English Scholarship Program for Tourism Personnel throughout the country, including Puerto Natales, San Pedro de Atacama, and Easter Island. Close to 1,500 people participated.
The course included 100 hours, spread out in 13 hours per week from Monday to Saturday. Sixty percent of participants increased their initial TOEIC scores by 50 points.