This past week the first 127 graduates from the Tamboril Tobacco School were certified. The school was launched in the Dominican Republic earlier this year in partnership with INFOTEP and PROCIGAR.
INFOTEP is the The National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training, while PROCIGAR is the Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers. Both organizations came together to address the systematic training of new tobacco artisans to internationally recognized standards. This is recognized as a critical need in the Dominican Republic’s cigar industry.
The Tamboril Tobacco School has said that 72 of the participants were hired by companies in the sector. An additional group representing approximately 20% of the graduates will soon begin their integration into the workforce.
Among those in attendance for the graduation included:
- Luis Manuel Rodriguez, INFOTEP Deputy Director (representing Director General Maira Morla Pineda)
- Ciro Cascella, PROCIGAR President
- Litto Gomez, PROCIGAR Vice President and former PROCIGAR President
- Agustín Fernández, Executive Director of PROCIGAR
- Ivan Hernandez, Director of the Dominican Tobacco Institute (INTABACO)
“The 78 women and 49 men receiving their certificates today have acquired skills in premium handmade cigar manufacturing, tobacco crop pest management, customer service, personal development, and conflict management—competencies that are enabling them to enter the workforce quickly,” commented Luis Manuel Rodriguez in a press release.
Rodriguez also mentioned that among the companies hiring graduates were La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, and Davidoff.
“Every certificate we present today is much more than a piece of paper; it is living proof of men and women who have chosen to embrace a noble profession – an art that is a source of national pride and that places the Dominican Republic firmly at the pinnacle of the premium cigar world,” added Ciro Cascella. “The companies that make up PROCIGAR have their doors open to welcome the first of many participants who will continue to graduate from the Tamboril Tobacco School.”
“Whenever you make a cigar, do it thinking about the man or woman, anywhere in the world, who will enjoy it. Tamboril is the birthplace of the country’s finest cigar makers, and every cigar represents the prestige of the Dominican Republic in international markets,” said Litto Gomez.
In addition, the Tamboril Tobacco School will expand its academic offerings. This is highlighted by a new Handmade Cigar Manufacturing Operations program. There will also be expanded offerings in intelligence, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and gender-based violence prevention.
Photo Credit: Image supplied by PROCIGAR
