Chile

Since its inception, ORT Chile has provided support to the government, to local businesses and to 500 schools and institutions in the country, helping to educate hundreds of thousands of students, young and old, in the process.

ORT Chile first became active in the Second World War supporting refugees who needed vocational training in order to find work. The first school opened in 1944 in Santiago with 42 students. It offered technical and general education classes.

In the 1970s ORT Chile began working with Vaad HaChinuch to introduce its science and technology programs into local Jewish schools. These have grown through the years to include seminars and courses for students and adults, teacher training and Jewish education.

In 1995 ORT Chile began working with the Coca-Cola Foundation on a network of science education centres (the Tavec project). These provided state-of-the-art science and technology laboratories together with an educational infrastructure, training programs and technical support.

More recently ORT Chile has become even more involved in supporting the wider local community and its work has attracted widespread acclaim and support.

Emprende Alto is an online training program aimed at teaching small retail shop owners entrepreneurial practices and skills to improve their market position and generate more income. It aims to boost the industry and directly enhance the quality of life of the community. ORT Chile was responsible for the design, planning and implementation of this program.