The first edition of the Tecpetrol Conecta event took place with a large turnout, where local technical trainees met with companies from the Neuquén Basin.

On Saturday morning at the Hilton Neuquén Hotel, the Domuyo Ballroom buzzed with energy as Tecpetrol hosted the first edition of Tecpetrol Conecta, an event aimed at bridging the gap between local talent and the companies driving activity in the Vaca Muerta industrial ecosystem. Organized by the Community Relations and Supplier Management and Development teams, the gathering brought together more than 60 participants, ranging from beneficiaries of educational programs to technical trainees who had completed training with Tecpetrol in the region.

The format combined open discussion with structured networking in which six companies from the ProPymes program in the Neuquén Basin—Equipel, BMK, Kompass, Crexell, ProDeng, and Tecsa—shared the floor. Each company presented their line of work and the types of profiles they’re looking to hire.

“We value the attitude people bring to their work,” said María Fernanda Vela of Equipel, opening the floor with a clear message. “Skills can be learned later.” Her view was echoed by Rebeca Rojas from Kompass, who clarified that, “We handle the training ourselves. What we need are honest people who are truly willing to commit.” Luciano Chiari of ProDeng struck a similar note, highlighting the human qualities that keep teams running: “The biggest challenge is finding qualified, responsible people who can work well with others. That’s what holds everything together.”

Between each company’s presentation, Luis Lanziani, Senior Manager of Supplier Development at Tecpetrol, offered broader reflections on the region’s employment landscape. “We were seeing two realities running in parallel,” he said. “Young people with training who couldn’t find jobs, and companies struggling to find local technical talent. Tecpetrol Conecta was created to bridge that gap.”

Andrea Fernández, Community Relations Manager for the Neuquén Basin, laid out the thinking behind the initiative: “Our programs offer tools for entering the industry, but the real impact happens when we connect people with those who can actually hire them. That’s why we created this space—so technical trainees could meet face-to-face with companies across the value chain.”

The program also featured a practical workshop on personal branding and LinkedIn, led by Communications Trainee Milagro Reile. Her session gave participants actionable tips to sharpen their professional profiles. Meanwhile, in another room, representatives from the participating companies rotated through small group meetings, answering questions, clarifying expectations, networking, and collecting résumés.

The response from participants was very enthusiastic. Agustina, a chemical technician trained at EPET 8 in Neuquén, said she never imagined having the chance to speak directly with companies from the sector. Nahir, from EPET 1 in Senillosa, appreciated the honest exchange with experts, saying it helped her better understand what employers are really looking for. Ramiro and Tino, mechanical technicians from EPET 16 in Rincón de los Sauces, were delighted with the experience: “We’re leaving super motivated as we handed out lots of CVs, and it all felt very personalized.”

The message behind the event was clear: job opportunities don’t begin with a contract—they begin with a conversation. With mutual listening, shared goals, and meaningful encounters between those preparing to enter the workforce and those ready to welcome them in. Tecpetrol Conecta is far more than a corporate initiative, offering a real contribution to nurturing local talent and reinforcing the value chain powering Vaca Muerta.