Buenos Aires, November 11, 2025 — The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, signed an advisory agreement with Universidad Siglo 21 to promote talent development in Argentina’s mining and energy sectors—two of the country’s main drivers of sustainable growth and job creation.
The initiative is part of a broader World Bank Group plan to strengthen talent development in Argentina’s mining and energy sectors, aiming to align academic programs, both public and private, with the needs of the productive sector. The goal is to enhance local capabilities and ensure that communities benefit from the opportunities generated by the growth of these industries.
The agreement with Universidad Siglo 21 marks a first milestone in the effort to align educational offerings with the skill profiles required by Argentina’s growing industries. Within this framework, the university will launch a robust academic portfolio that includes technical programs, undergraduate degrees, and continuing education opportunities designed to train professionals capable of leading the transition toward more sustainable mining and energy practices.
“At IFC, we believe that developing local skills and talent is essential to ensure that mining generates more and better jobs, driving inclusive and sustainable growth in Argentina,” said Manuela Adl, IFC Senior Country Manager for Argentina. “This partnership with Unviersidad Siglo 21 will help close the gap between education and industry needs, promoting quality employment opportunities and strengthening the capacities Argentina needs to harness its mining potential.”
“Connecting education with the productive sector is the first step for Argentine talent to drive the country’s development. Academia has the responsibility to prepare people to transform realities, and at Universidad Siglo 21, we are committed to leading that path with vision, innovation, and a forward-looking approach,” said Juan Carlos Rabbat, President and Founder of Universidad Siglo 21.
Argentina’s mining sector currently has projects worth USD 9 billion under construction and production, and an additional USD 20 billion in feasibility stages. The industry directly employs around 40,000 people, with indirect employment multiplying that figure by three to eight times.
In countries with more developed mining sectors, such as Chile and Peru, the industry directly employs more than 250,000 people, highlighting Argentina’s potential for direct and formal job creation.
Through this alliance, the World Bank Group seeks to contribute to the development of sustainable mining and energy in Argentina by creating a public-private collaboration platform that enhances the impact of investments on quality jobs, inclusion, and holistic human development.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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About Universidad Siglo 21
It is the most chosen private university by Argentines, according to official data from the University Statistics Yearbook of the National Ministry of Education. It was founded in 1995 by Juan Carlos Rabbat in the province of Córdoba. Its current Rector is Mgter. Laura Rosso. The university is headquartered in the city of Córdoba and has a presence across Argentina’s 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, with 320 University Support Centers (CAUs). More than 90,000 students currently study at Universidad Siglo 21, and the institution has over 100,000 graduates. Its academic offering includes 110 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs delivered through five in-person and technology-mediated learning formats, as well as 200 lifelong learning programs. In 2023, the university launched Insight 21, a think tank that brings together academic institutes, trend observatories, and science labs to provide accurate and relevant knowledge to companies and organizations for decision-making. Universidad Siglo 21 is a regional leader in educational innovation, with initiatives such as the Innova Educa 21 International Congress, which since 2017 has been setting the agenda on key issues shaping educational systems in Argentina and the region. www.21.edu.ar
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