Launched in 2024, the GenEra Neuquén program keeps adding training hours—and stories from young people who are using these free courses as a pathway to join industry

Notching up 100,000 hours of training is a milestone in itself. But when it comes to education and community programs, not everything can be captured in numbers. In the Province of Neuquén, through the GenEra Neuquén initiative, Tecpetrol and Vista Energy have reached communities that had never before received industry-specific training of any kind.

“Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the excitement we feel when someone tells us they chose to study petroleum engineering because they took one of our courses. Since we launched the program, we’ve heard so many stories and voices that have made this experience even richer than we could have imagined,” recalls Andrea Fernández, CORE Manager.

Mariana Claudia Amorós, external coordinator, adds: “GenEra received an amazing response from the community. At first, students were shy, quiet, and not very participative… but as the classes went on, that changed dramatically. You could see it in how they showed up, how they engaged.”

Another external coordinator, Silvina López, shares her favorite moment: the site visit. “That’s where their enthusiasm really shows. They show up well before departure time—and trust me, it’s very early! It’s incredibly rewarding to see the awe on their faces, hear their questions, and watch how respectfully they follow every instruction. They’re standing in a real oilfield, and many can picture themselves working there one day.”

The numbers back up the impact. In its first year, which ended in December 2024, the program delivered 43,000 training hours to 1,000 students and 200 teachers across 14 public technical schools in Rincón de los Sauces, Añelo, Senillosa, and the city of Neuquén itself. Across 2024 and 2025, GenEra delivered a total of 100,000 educational hours, expanded to three additional schools, and is now aiming to cover all 19 technical schools in the province which give technical courses aligned with the oil and gas sector.

“Together with the provincial government, we agreed to take the program to towns far from the main oil & gas operations. This way, we can bring knowledge to communities that only know about Vaca Muerta from they read or hear in the news. Distance shouldn’t stop anyone from dreaming of working at Tecpetrol or anywhere else in the industry,” says Andrea confidently.

For Victoria Sandalich, HR Trainee, it was the program’s purpose that really left a mark. “Seeing how technical education grows when the public and private sectors work together makes you feel part of something much bigger. I’m taking away a huge amount of professional and personal learning as well as the pride of being part of a team that works with commitment, energy, and purpose.”

Camila Faija, Community Relations Lead Analyst, highlights the hard work of the team behind it all: “Reaching 100,000 hours—and in record time—is incredible. This first stage was a rollercoaster of emotions, challenges, and achievements. None of it would have been possible without the effort and dedication of everyone involved. Since last year, in the Neuquén Basin, we’ve built a team that’s not only highly professional but also deeply compassionate.”

A shared path

Tecpetrol has been running education programs in Neuquén for over 15 years. GenEra, created in partnership with Vista Energy, aims to strengthen technical education by providing courses that are fully free. “To make this possible, we partnered with the Neuquén Regional Faculty of the National Technological University (UTN). At first, they hesitated, seeing big implementation challenges for high schools. So we worked on securing spaces for classes and coordinating transportation for university instructors to the different towns,” Andrea explains.

“It was a big challenge for both teachers and students. But little by little, the bond started to flourish. Once, a student group even organized themselves to surprise their teacher with a birthday cake,” she remembers.

Closer to our future

Through the UTN, students in their final year receive technical training, visit operations sites, and take part in hands-on sessions in the university’s labs. Fifth-year students who are still defining their career path can join TecnoAventura, a GenEra activity where industry experts explain what working in each area is really like.

Those who have already graduated from technical school can apply for vocational courses delivered together with the University of Flores (UFLO), such as training to become an Instrumentation Technician for the Oil Industry. Another option, taught through the National Technical University (UTN), is Educational Mathematics, designed to strengthen the skills of young people planning to pursue oil-related university degrees.

Secondary-school teachers can also upskill through Project-Based Learning training, the latest methodology defined by the provincial Ministry of Education and used in the Roberto Rocca Technical Schools. Experienced colleagues from Buenos Aires travel to Neuquén to share tools and practices with their peers.

“Inside Tecpetrol, we’ve created strong synergy across different areas to meet our goals. We nominated 11 candidates for Roberto Rocca undergraduate scholarships, connected young people with companies in the ProPymes Program, and strengthened our employer-brand positioning together with the Talent Attraction team,” says Andrea.

She also notes that they follow up closely with participants to support their entry into the industry. “We check in regularly to see what they need and invite them to company activities. When someone grows, their friends celebrate, their family celebrates, and we at Tecpetrol celebrate too.”

For Natasha Volij, Community Relations Analyst, the program’s real value is clear: “The impact is truly transformative. Participants tell us that thanks to this experience, they feel more confident and clearer about their future. GenEra helps them connect with their interests, explore new possibilities, and discover paths they hadn’t imagined before.”