The 14th edition incorporates care, validation of knowledge and work competence workshops
The impact evaluation of this first work experience program confirmed that participants improved their entry into the labor market and their salaries. Registration for the current edition begins on October 15.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) launched the 14th edition of the I Study and Work program, an initiative that opens a first formal work experience to young people between 16 and 20 years old who are studying.
More than 9,000 young people from all over the territory have participated in the program since its creation in 2012. This initiative constitutes a key public policy to strengthen the link between education and work, as well as promote the development of transversal skills and labor insertion under conditions of equality.
The deadline to register for I Study and Work will remain open between October 15 and 22. The draw will be held on the 29th of the same month, according to the national director of Employment, Federico Araya. Registrations will be made exclusively through the form available on the website of the Secretary of State.
The initiative incorporates actions to guarantee inclusion and equal opportunities, in compliance with current regulations.
- 50% of the places are allocated to young women
- 13.5% of the places will be for young people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability
- 8% to young people of African descent
- 4% to young people with disabilities
- 2% to trans people
- And a 1% quota is incorporated for young women victims of gender-based violence.
Likewise, Araya explained the new axes that the initiative incorporates in 2025:
- Innovation: Link with the Uruguay Certifica program, through which the participant will have the possibility of certifying their work skills.
- Strengthening training: A technical team from the National Employment Directorate will be incorporated into the training process with labor competency workshops and, in addition, during the course of the scholarship, in 2026, a training course on financial education will be given.
- Compatibility with care: Young people who have children under 4 years of age or pregnant women will work 20 hours a week and will receive a remuneration of 4 bases of benefits and contributions (about 26,000 pesos). Additionally, in conjunction with INAU, it will ensure that young people with dependent children have a place in the CAIF centers closest to work.
- Support for the first month of work. Payment for the judicial record certificate may be paid after the first payment. A bonus will also be granted so that those beneficiaries of the program who do not have income that first month can receive their scholarship.
Araya recalled that the places in private companies, which were incorporated in 2024, only reached 150 young people, while in the public sector it covered 700 positions in more than 50 organizations. He announced that the design of the program will be modified to increase the number of places in private activity.
I STUDY AND WORK IMPROVE ENTRY TO THE LABOR MARKET AND SALARY
During the launch, an impact evaluation of the program was presented, carried out jointly by the University of the Republic; that of Bocconi from Italy; the Tilburg of the Netherlands, and the World Bank.
The presentation was given by Noemí Katzkowicz, professor at the Institute of Economics of the University of the Republic, who highlighted the improvement in the academic and work performance of the beneficiaries.
Income to formal work was 11% higher for young people who participated in the program, seven years after having done so. Meanwhile, the effect on the monthly salary was 6% higher.
At the same time, positive effects were confirmed in young people from vulnerable backgrounds and an increase of 1.5 percentage points in enrollment in Secondary Education.
PUBLIC POLICY
The vice president, Carolina Cosse, valued this program as a “great gesture of the State” to support young people because “working and studying at the same time is very difficult“He also stressed that we must insist that private companies join this initiative.
Cosse expressed that in his opinion a program alone does not solve any problem, but acting with others, it takes on another meaning. “It is interesting to see the changes that occur in the offices when students arrive for their first job, and if at the same time, programs are being carried out to assess skills, then the change is multiplied. And if at the same time, there are Uruguay Impulsa staff, even more so. They are gestures that constitute a progressive and hopeful gesture,” he emphasized.
The presentation of Yo Estudio y Trabajo concretizes the third active employment policy in 45 days, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Juan Castillo, highlighted in his speech, together with the Uruguay Impulsa draw and the tour that authorities from the National Employment Directorate have been carrying out throughout the country listening to job demands, in order to redesign the current regulations.
For her part, the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Fernanda Cardona, stressed that this initiative, aimed at providing opportunities to young people, is not random, but rather a political decision. “The program expresses the best commitment of the Uruguayan State: open doors, offer opportunities, and trust in the new generations,” the hierarch pointed out. Finally, he highlighted the role of the State, not only as an employer, but also as a creator of citizenship.
In turn, the Minister of Education and Culture, José Carlos Mahía, said that this program “it speaks of a state policy because it transcended governments” and that, more than the adjustments, “We are talking about something that Uruguay strategically sees as a direction.”
For the head of Social Development, Gonzalo Civila, this is a consolidated policy that needs to be reviewed. “It must be said that if we have needed this tool for 14 editions, it is because there is something that the market alone does not solve, which is the job possibility for young people.”, he warned.
And he highlighted that the combination of education with work is essential to add value to what we do, improve remuneration and living conditions.
The director of the National Youth Institute, Eugenia Godoy, also participated in the launch table.
