At The Vines Foundation, we strive to be intentional and respectful in everything we do so that the greatest possible good comes from our efforts. That means listening first—learning from the community about what is working, what challenges it faces and where the greatest opportunities lie—and then co-creating solutions that are locally owned and driven.
For the past six years, student research teams from Professor Steven Reifenberg’s International Development in Practice course at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs have helped guide the Foundation’s plans for a vocational school and community center in Vista Flores.
Across nine research teams, Notre Dame students have worked alongside the Foundation at each stage of the project—first exploring the community’s needs and the role vocational education could play, and then helping us address new questions as the vision developed.
Their research has reinforced that education and practical skills training can be powerful pathways to employment. Earlier this year, the Foundation surveyed graduates of its 2024 and 2025 vocational programs to better understand what happened after their courses ended. Thirty-two graduates responded, providing valuable insight into their experiences and highlighting an area that deserves greater attention: the transition from completing a course to securing meaningful employment.
That is the focus of this year’s International Development in Practice research team.
This semester, six senior researchers are examining successful workforce-development models, internships, mentoring programs and employer partnerships in other communities. They are also exploring practical opportunities to connect graduates in Tunuyán and the Uco Valley with employers seeking their skills.
The students are not being asked to bring in a ready-made program. Their research will provide recommendations and tools that the Foundation can evaluate and adapt in partnership with local employers, educators and community leaders who understand the local reality.
Ultimately, our goal is not simply to offer courses. It is to help create clear pathways to meaningful employment, support flourishing businesses and contribute to a strong and thriving community.
