SAN SALVADOR–The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Improving Access to Employment Program, along with Fe y Alegria and the Salvadoran Professional Training Institute (INSAFORP) awarded certificates to 50 new guidance counselors, who were trained in the use of the specialized portal “Choosing my Future” www.elijomifuturo.com.

The www.elijomifuturo.com portal is the first in El Salvador dedicated to vocational guidance, and was developed through the USAID Improving Access to Employment Program.  The portal, which was launched in November 2012 and to date has more than 19,000 visitors, is used by job managers and career counselors across the country.

Among those certified are school teachers from the public sector and employment managers who have learned to use the website as an effective tool to guide students, most of whom are seeking their first job, in writing a resume that meets the current market requirements, navigating a job interview, including how to dress for an interview, among other aspects of career counseling.

The training included a theoretical course of 20 hours, supplemented by practical application, where teachers provided career counseling to 1,250 youths. Each teacher helped at least 25 youths complete their resume in order to be certified.

With a total investment of $7,490,000 for the period 2009-2013, the USAID Improving Access to Employment program is helping to improve labor market information available to students and other job seekers. It also supports the training and development of skills needed to improve the country's competitiveness in the global market.