SAN SALVADOR–The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), along with employers in the International Airport area, including Avianca, Taca, Aeroman and Air Support, 16 municipalities belonging to the Nonualcos Association, and various training institutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help boost the economy in communities around the airport.

The main objective of the agreement is to provide training to close the gap between the skills and capabilities of the workforce in these communities and the requirements of the labor sector, in order to compete for jobs and business opportunities in the area, which include the planned expansion and modernization of the airport.

Through its Improving Access to Employment program, USAID has provided skills training programs for youth in the area so that they will have the necessary skills by the time area businesses begin to recruit staff with particular job profiles. These training plans are coordinated with employers and the Nonualcos Association, and respond directly to opportunities for economic growth and strengthening the supply of human talent.

With a total investment of $7,490,000 for the period 2009-2013, the USAID Improving Access to Employment 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.