"These fairs make us reflect that it is among all of us, public and private institutions, together with knowledge centers, where we build country, develop different societies and human beings prepared for today and the future", Bancoagrícola's Vice President of Talent and Culture, Alejandro Gómez Fernández, told the professionals in training.

In addition, he enthusiastically launched a call to the students: "Help us transform our organizations, bring all your learning and together let's build a different country and region, with the purpose of promoting sustainable development and generating well-being for all".

Bancoagrícola is developing a series of programs to support women, SMEs, large private companies and public sector institutions throughout the country. "Universities are a fundamental axis because they are where the discussions take place, the generation of new knowledge and the connection of that knowledge with the needs of citizens on a day-to-day basis", said Gómez Fernández.

The ESEN Job Fair has a two-fold objective: to facilitate the search process of companies for potential talent to be part of their organizational teams, as well as to bring graduates closer to the opportunities to develop a professional career, according to the general director of ESEN, José Everardo Rivera.

On this occasion, 38 companies participated with employment and internship opportunities, as well as 27 organizations with social service opportunities.

"We know that the job market today is highly competitive, changing and challenging, companies beyond a degree are looking for characteristics, competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes, such as the ability to think and communicate analytically, creatively and propositionally, as well as teamwork, remote or face-to-face", said Rivera.

ESEN is celebrating 30 years of training competitive professionals, and Bancoagrícola feels deeply linked to this trajectory, as it is one of the 5 companies that have accompanied Fundación Poma in supporting this institution of higher education from its first steps with the objective of contributing to the integral formation of future leaders through quality services, technology and information resources that support research and the production of knowledge.

Since 2019, Bancoagrícola formulated an internship program where students of the Business Engineering career at ESEN have the opportunity to take concrete experience in various areas and work projects.

Natalia Ortiz, joined this program six months ago and states with much enthusiasm that the program is a great opportunity to study and work, and not to stay with the theory of the university, but to put it into practice as well. "If you can't do it, you learn it; at Bancoagrícola they are always willing to help you to give the best results, this helps you to grow professionally and personally, you create relationships with other people, so your networking and your capabilities expand", says Natalia.

In addition to the internships, Bancoagrícola officials also serve as ESEN professors; additionally, talks are given to introduce the bank's culture and new ways of working, mock interviews are conducted with ESEN talent so they can experience what a job interview is like, selection panels or assessment centers are held so they can learn about real application cases, and feedback is provided for their development.

"Bancoagrícola is very supportive as it supports us in our ideal of opportunity for all, facilitating educational credits with specific lines for our students and also providing scholarships for young people who come from low-income households", said the ESEN director.

Bancoagrícola's Vice President of Talent and Culture said that the results are satisfactory: "A representation of our employees come from universities like ESEN and help us in our purpose of promoting sustainable development and generating wellbeing for all", he concluded.

Bancoagrícola's employability program provides opportunities for growth and development to students from different private universities in the country and the Universidad de El Salvador, UES.

Translated by: A.M