Esmeralda English Version ed

TRAINING
TRAINING
Some of the
resources provided
by Fedesmeraldas
for this new
agreement focusing
on technology
have already
been invested in
reconditioned
conventional
machines for
gemstone cutting.
A second partnership
The results obtained from the first
partnership in 2010 were crucial for
SENA and Fedesmeraldas to consider
a second stage of training focused
on innovation. This led to creating
a second agreement between the
SENA Materials and Testing Center,
the SENA Regional Bogotá, and Fedesmeraldas
for $2.6 billion that not
only aims to educate gemologists and
jewelers, but also support businessmen
and entrepreneurs in the sector,
which directly involves areas of Boyacá
that produce emeralds.
As Professor Beltrán explains, some
of the resources provided by Fedesmeraldas
for this new agreement
focusing on technology have already
been invested in reconditioned
conventional machines for gemstone
cutting, new American precision
cutting machines (along with software
for 3D gem modeling), gemological
equipment for stone identification,
microscopes, refractometers,
and polariscopes.
“With this new equipment, we are
already working on a program for
gemstone designs and fantasy cutting.
A drawing is generated and replicated
in the precision machine. In traditional
processes, this is done more by sight,
hearing and hand,” says Beltrán.
As Rubén Darío Montoya, deputy
director of SENA’s Materials and
Testing Center, explains, of the $2.6
billion in the agreement, $1.2 billion
were allocated to acquiring the latest
generation equipment previously
described. In turn, the remaining $1.4
billion have a key objective: to contribute
to training new artisans and technicians
in emerald and jewelry cutting
in municipalities that produce precious
stones such as Chivor, Muzo, San Pablo
de Borbur, Maripí, and others.
“We want to encourage young
people to be artisans, not just miners.
We will work on this with SENA’s Boyacá
Region,” says Beltrán, who adds
that this project for emerald-producing
areas will bring cutting and jewelry
machinery and equipment to nine
emerald producing municipalities.
Likewise, Montoya adds that “training
people in emerald-producing
areas is one of the significant benefits
of this alliance. This commitment
and joint effort seek to contribute
to the economic and social development
of communities around the
country, which generates tangible
benefits for the community and regional
progress.”
This second agreement, as reported
by Óscar Baquero, president of
Fedesmeraldas, will end up benefiting
about 600 entrepreneurs, artisans
and jewelers with free training and
SENA certification. “The aim is to
reindustrialize the processes in the
sector and SENA is key to train those
who are in the emerald business.
Cutting is the added value, and this
knowledge has been passed down for
generations,” he says.
And, according to Baquero, this
SENA program provides tools that
open doors for young people. “The
emerald industry is local, so we
want to encourage students, and
we want people who know how to
do cutting, make jewelry, create software,
and more. Incidentally, that
also helps boost the popular economy,”
he says.
This partnership also aims to close
productivity gaps in the sector, support
productive chains and diversify
the supply that entrepreneurs and
emerald miners currently count on.
Opportunities that shine
The students of SENA’s jewelry
and gem cutting technician course
have not only been able to learn the
secrets of a complex trade, but have
also been called to work with foreign
companies operating in Colombia.
And, as Professor Beltrán emphasizes,
those who finish the training have
the endorsement of SENA, which is
recognized by the emerald industry.
“There are many models for people
to be certified and also entrepreneurship
components for training.
Along with Fedesmeraldas, we try
to have an impact on this and to encourage
young people by means of
this program that does not focus on
making money, but rather creating
art with technology,” concludes Professor
Beltrán, who has great expectations
that this program will continue
to engage new members from
schools and low-income sectors not
only in Bogotá, but also from other
parts of the country. ◆
ESMERALDA
ESMERALDA
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