An agreement is signed between the City Council and AFEMCE

An agreement between the City Council and AFEMCE will allow four members of this association, who have received training in urban space maintenance thanks to a training program funded by the European Social Fund, to complete internships working in municipal services.

The agreement was signed by the mayor, Tomás Rubio, and the president of the group, José García.

The town councils of the Vega Alta del Segura region are hosting a total of 10 students from the "Trails: Training in auxiliary operations for urban environment maintenance: gardening and signage painting + motivation and pre-employment skills" project, for on-the-job training.

Ten students from the course on auxiliary operations in urban environment maintenance: gardening and signage painting + motivation and pre-employment skills, which has been taught by AFEMCE - the Mental Health Association of Cieza and its surrounding area since March 4, have begun their internships in the Vega Alta municipalities.

This course is co-financed by the European Social Fund, within the framework of the Social Inclusion, Child Guarantee and Fight against Poverty Program ESF + 2021-2027, through the ONCE Foundation call for financial aid for the selection of operations to strengthen employability for people with disabilities 'One to One' 2023-2024. The completion of a 100-hour on-the-job training module for these 10 students with disabilities and mental health problems will be carried out in the Municipalities of Abarán (3 students), Cieza (4 students) and Blanca (3 students) after the signing of separate collaboration agreements between the councils and AFEMCE and demonstrates the strong commitment and invaluable support of the Corporations of the Vega Alta del Segura region with mental health and with the promotion of employment and training.

AFEMCE's objective in Vega Alta

The objective of AFEMCE and the local councils with this training initiative is to improve the motivation of people with disabilities and mental health problems, strengthen their employability and professional skills, and, consequently, reduce the high unemployment rates among people with disabilities and mental health problems who are unemployed and not integrated into education or training systems in the Vega Alta del Segura region.

The students were also welcomed, supported, and encouraged on the first day of their valuable training experience and journey toward employment in Abarán by Adrián Carrillo, Councilor for Employment, Training, Personnel, and Social Policy; in Blanca by Francisco Javier Rodríguez, spokesperson and Councilor – Second Deputy Mayor, Delegate for Human Resources, Cleaning, Services, and Transparency; and in Cieza by its mayor, Tomás Rubio.