María del Carmen Cuyares: Developing Digital Talent to Expand Opportunities in the World of Work

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BOGOTÁ (ILO News) - María del Carmen Cuyares Rodríguez has dedicated much of her professional life to technology, education, and the development of initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for people. Today, as a SENATIC instructor, she supports young people in Villavicencio in strengthening digital competencies that can help transform their educational and employment pathways.

Through SENATIC, an initiative led by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), SENA, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), young people from different regions of Colombia strengthen technological and socio-emotional skills that help prepare them for an increasingly digitalized world of work.

For María del Carmen, being part of this process represents an opportunity to share more than twenty years of professional experience while contributing to the development of new generations.

A Life Built Around Learning

Born in Villavicencio, Meta, María del Carmen completed her studies in public educational institutions in her hometown and, from an early age, understood the importance of education as a tool for creating opportunities.

With more than two decades of experience in technology and education, María del Carmen Cuyares Rodríguez supports SENATIC learners in the city of Villavicencio

This conviction led her to pursue a degree in Systems Engineering at Antonio Nariño University. She later continued strengthening her academic background through postgraduate studies at Pilot University of Colombia and a master's degree at Pontifical Xavierian University.

Her interest in technology has always been accompanied by the belief that knowledge should translate into practical solutions for people and organizations.

"In technology, learning never stops. New tools, new challenges, and new ways of doing things are constantly emerging," she explains.

More Than Two Decades of Training and Transformation

Her connection with the National Learning Service (SENA) began while she was developing her university graduation project. What initially started as an academic experience eventually became a professional journey spanning more than twenty years.

Since 2004, she has participated in technology, digital transformation, and software development projects in different regions of the country. She has also worked with public institutions, private organizations, and innovation initiatives, serving as an analyst, project leader, consultant, and educator.

Throughout that journey, she discovered that one of the most rewarding aspects of her career has been supporting the development of new generations.

"When you accompany educational processes, you realize that the impact goes far beyond the classroom. What is learned today can become an opportunity tomorrow," she says.

Teaching Technology in Challenging Contexts

Her involvement with SENATIC emerged from a constant search for new professional challenges and her interest in contributing to the development of young people in strategic areas for the future of work.

She currently supports training programmes related to telematics systems, software programming, and mobile application development.

Throughout this experience, she has observed the enthusiasm technology generates among young people, but also the challenges they face in remaining committed to demanding learning processes.

Many students are initially attracted by the digital world and the possibilities technology offers. However, they soon discover that areas such as programming require discipline, perseverance, analytical thinking, and continuous learning.

These challenges are often compounded by external factors that can affect learners' ability to remain engaged in educational processes.

"Many young people need to generate income quickly to support their families. Sometimes it is difficult for them to see that technological education can create broader opportunities in the future," she explains.

Beyond Screens

Another lesson María del Carmen has identified through her work with SENATIC is that technology involves much more than the everyday use of devices or social media platforms.

For her, the true value of technological education lies in developing the ability to solve problems, analyse information, create solutions, and work collaboratively.

"Tools are constantly changing, but the ability to learn, adapt, and find solutions remains essential," she says.

She also recognizes that limitations related to connectivity, internet access, and electricity supply continue to represent challenges in some of the territories where training takes place. Nevertheless, she believes these difficulties do not diminish learners' interest in acquiring new knowledge and building better opportunities.

Learning to Keep Moving Forward

While supporting upper-secondary students in their learning journeys, María del Carmen remains firmly committed to her own professional development.

She believes that continuous learning is essential in a context where artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies are transforming the way people study, work, and generate knowledge.

"The more I learn, the more I feel there is still to learn, because technology evolves every day. That reality challenges us to keep studying and continuously updating our skills," she says.

Her experience has taught her that meaningful results are rarely immediate, but that sustained effort and lifelong learning ultimately create opportunities.

Investing in the Future

As the mother of a professional son and a firm believer in the transformative power of education, María del Carmen sees supporting young people as a meaningful way to contribute to the development of her community and her country.

Reflecting on her journey, she summarizes her philosophy through a simple idea: work with discipline, commitment, and passion.

"Many times, we do not see the results immediately. But with time, we come to understand that every effort was worthwhile."

Her story demonstrates how technological education, lifelong learning, and a commitment to service can help expand opportunities for new generations and prepare them for a world of work that is constantly evolving.