On Wednesday, 15 April, a presentation was held at the Petronor refinery to launch a new edition of the Continuous Process Plant Operator course, a training initiative in which the Somorrostro Training Centre plays a key role in both the management and delivery of the training programme.

The event was attended by representatives from both organisations, including our director, Javier Laiseca, and the director of innovation, Sergio San Martín, who accompanied the new group of students at the start of this training programme.

A total of 30 people have been selected to take part in this course, following a rigorous selection process in which 270 applications were received. The group comprises a diverse range of individuals, combining those with prior experience in the industrial sector with new talent looking to make their mark in the industry. Furthermore, around a third of the participants come from local towns and villages, thereby reinforcing the impact of this initiative on local development and employability.

The training programme, which is set to begin next month, will last approximately 940 hours and will combine classroom-based theoretical training with practical work at the Petronor plant itself. During this period, participants will also receive a stipend linked to the national minimum wage, which will enable them to focus on their studies and learning in a real-world working environment.

Thanks to this training, participants will acquire the necessary skills to work as operators in continuous-process industries, a field offering a wide range of career opportunities in sectors such as refining, the chemical industry, energy and water treatment.

This partnership with Petronor once again highlights the Somorrostro Training Centre’s commitment to vocational training that is closely linked to the business world, focused on employability and aligned with the needs of the wider business community.