For the first time, Icetex is offering repayable loans for job training and human development: how to apply?

For the first time, Icetex is opening a call for applications for repayable loans for those who wish to pursue work-related and human development education programs, a training program that complements, updates, and strengthens knowledge for technical and professional performance.

The entity invites interested Colombians to register through its official website (www.icetex.gov.co) and warns that the process will be open until places are filled.

"This is a special opportunity because we're coming to Icetex with new options, also considering the needs of the regions and the world, as well as the urgent needs of working life. Education for work and human development responds to all of this, and now the institution also supports access to this training, which is much cheaper and takes less time than higher education that grants an academic degree," said the Institute's president, Álvaro Urquijo.

This type of training, formerly known as non-formal education, has been elevated to education for work and human development for two decades. It includes vocational and academic training programs, designed to complement, update, and supplement knowledge and provide training in academic or professional areas. This training is not subject to the system of levels and grades, as are those of undergraduate, graduate, or academic courses.

This education is characterized by its variety of areas and typologies, all oriented towards the development and qualification of competencies, knowledge, labor and skills, through programs that do not grant an academic degree,

Among this variety of this formation are typologies such as:

- Vocational Training Programs: designed to prepare individuals for occupational skills and specific areas of the productive sector (for example, training as a Skilled Vocational Technician in Nursing, Vocational Technician in Automotive Mechanics, Professional Kitchen Assistant, etc.). These are also known as technical vocational programs and have a minimum duration of 600 hours.

- Academic Training Programs: These programs focus on the acquisition of general, cultural, or life skills (for example, free courses in specific areas, languages, arts, leadership, etc.) and do not lead to an academic degree. These programs typically last at least 160 hours.

There are also submodalities such as:

- Programs in traditional arts and crafts, such as gastronomy, ceramics, crafts, hairdressing, etc.

- Continuing education and certifications, including diplomas or courses in specific skills designed to qualify job skills.

- Adult literacy and training programs that do not lead to academic qualifications, such as literacy, basic accounting, elementary arithmetic, etc.

"Icetex reiterates its invitation to individuals who wish to study programs in Education for Work and Human Development to apply for educational credit. This special line of financing has a payment schedule of 30% during the training period and the remaining 70% upon completion of the program (a period equivalent to 1.5 times the training period), with the option of making advance payments or principal payments at any time," the institution stated in a statement.

All information about this line of credit, as well as how to apply for it, can be found on the Icetex website under the "Credits" menu, the "You Choose" section, and the "Undergraduate" option. There, interested parties will find the ETDH (Education for Work and Human Development) program. The direct link is: https://share.google/yIyFB2tzzMVfg2l4Z. All procedures are carried out directly, without intermediaries, and at no cost.