The government of President Nayib Bukele continues to prioritize creating opportunities to help Salvadorans thrive within their country. Deputy Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility Cindy Mariella Portal led a ceremony certifying 23 returning citizens as fourth-category electricians and marking the completion of bakery training for another 23 individuals.
These efforts are part of the “Trinational Response for Dignified, Peaceful, and Inclusive Mobility in Northern Central America” project, funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The programs, implemented through the “Transforming Lives” initiative, aim to strengthen professional and entrepreneurial skills, enabling participants to access jobs or start businesses.
Electrician trainees received hands-on instruction aligned with regulatory standards and soft skills training, while bakery trainees learned breadmaking techniques and life skills. Participants were also supported with transportation stipends and toolkits to help them apply their skills.
Adrián Jovel, a certified electrician, highlighted the program’s impact: “This training and equipment allow us to generate income for our families without leaving the country.”
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting these initiatives, fostering a brighter future for returnees in El Salvador.