In a landmark move for regional workforce development, Instituto de la Empresa, a Peruvian higher education institution, has signed a transnational academic cooperation agreement with the Instituto de Capacitación de Arica (ICARI), an affiliate of the Corporación de Desarrollo del Norte (CORDENOR) in Chile. The partnership aims to create seamless educational pathways for technical professionals, enabling them to advance their academic credentials and gain access to new labor market opportunities.
As digitalization, automation, and global economic shifts transform the employment landscape, technical graduates across Latin America are facing increasing pressure to upskill. This cross-border alliance responds to that challenge by bridging the gap between technical education and university-level professional programs, particularly in high-demand sectors such as logistics, project management, industrial safety, digital business, and public administration.
Instituto de la Empresa, based in Peru and known for its regionally responsive and labor-oriented academic model, brings to the table fully online programs designed to accommodate working professionals. These programs provide flexible and accredited pathways for technical graduates to earn bachelor’s-level degrees without pausing their careers.
ICARI, operating in northern Chile under the umbrella of CORDENOR, has a well-established reputation for technical training that addresses regional industry needs, particularly in mining, agroindustry, transportation, and construction. Its graduates are equipped with applied skills but often face a glass ceiling due to the absence of formal university credentials.
“This partnership is more than just academic,” said María Fernanda Castañeda, Director of International Programs at Instituto de la Empresa. “It is a vehicle for economic mobility. By enabling technical workers to earn globally relevant credentials, we’re contributing directly to social advancement and workforce competitiveness in both countries.”
The alliance includes several key components: an academic validation process that recognizes prior learning and technical competencies; tailored online curricula aligned with labor market trends; and personalized academic support for students throughout their studies. The programs also emphasize transversal skills such as digital fluency, ethical leadership, and strategic thinking.
Technical graduates from ICARI will now be able to enroll in Instituto de la Empresa’s bachelor’s programs in as little as 18 to 24 months, depending on their academic background. The courses are delivered entirely online, with access to bilingual academic advising and professional mentorship by international faculty.
According to data from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), over 60% of technical jobs in Latin America will require upskilling in the next five years. This collaboration between ICARI and Instituto de la Empresa positions both institutions at the forefront of this regional challenge, providing practical and scalable solutions through educational innovation.
The partnership also anticipates the creation of a Binational Observatory for Employment Trends, which will monitor labor dynamics in northern Chile and southern Peru, producing data that will inform future program design and policy recommendations.
“This is about putting the learner at the center and adapting the system to the real needs of the workforce,” said Dr. Andrés Silva, Director of Institutional Development at CORDENOR. “We are not just offering degrees — we’re building bridges between academic achievement and professional success.”
Beyond degree programs, the agreement includes professional certifications, continuous education tracks, and virtual seminars addressing topics such as industry 4.0, sustainable logistics, and applied management in technical fields. The goal is to provide professionals with multiple entry points into lifelong learning and improve their employment prospects at local and international levels.
Applications for the first cohort of students under this agreement will open in the second half of 2025, with priority given to high-performing ICARI graduates and those currently employed in key regional industries. Partial scholarships and employer-sponsored incentives are expected to be announced in coordination with regional development agencies.
This type of partnership is gaining traction across Latin America, where the integration of academic and labor systems is seen as critical to tackling structural unemployment and promoting innovation. By combining the strengths of two institutions with complementary missions — one focused on technical training, the other on higher education with labor-market alignment — this initiative sets a new benchmark for regional collaboration.
“Latin America needs more than academic prestige. It needs practical pathways that uplift communities and prepare professionals for tomorrow’s challenges,” emphasized Castañeda. “We are proud to walk that path together with our colleagues in Chile.”
With this alliance, Instituto de la Empresa and ICARI are not only offering new opportunities for individual advancement — they are building an inclusive model of education that recognizes technical experience, fosters academic growth, and catalyzes socioeconomic development across borders.
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