María Alejandra Barrios S.

El Paso, Texas, September 18, 2026 — A specialized workforce training project in El Paso has certified 40 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems operators and placed 93% of them in formal employment across the region’s water, energy and manufacturing sectors. The Trust for the Americas, an organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), celebrated the closing of the Skills for Sustainability (S4S) project together with its funding partners, the North American Development Bank (NADBank) and Workforce Solutions Borderplex, as well as its local implementing partner, Western Technical College.  The graduation ceremony took place on Friday, September 11 at Western Technical College in El Paso, where program graduates received their certificates. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar joined the ceremony and offered words of congratulations to the graduates, alongside representatives of NADBank, Workforce Solutions Borderplex, Western Technical College and The Trust for the Americas.  Graduates were hired at El Paso Water, the City of El Paso, Eaton, Kinder Morgan, PC Automated, Wiwynn, OPEX, Siemens, Fort Bliss and STACK Infrastructure, reflecting the demand for specialized SCADA systems talent.  “The Trust designed this program around what employers told us they needed and then brought together the partners to deliver it. We first trained water operators for El Paso Water between 2023 and 2024, and when those positions were filled, they came back to us for SCADA technicians. That is a model worth taking to other border communities,” said Jorge Márquez Gaspar, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas.  “Meeting El Paso’s workforce needs requires strong partnerships between education, workforce organizations, employers, and community leaders. The S4S SCADA program demonstrates what can be accomplished when partners combine their resources and expertise toward a shared goal. Together, we are preparing local talent for in-demand careers and helping ensure our region has the skilled professionals needed to support its continued growth.” said John Nuñez, Customized Training Director at Western Tech.  Based on the project’s economic-impact analysis, the $120,000 investment in training is projected to generate approximately $2.66 million in economic value, equivalent to about $22 for every dollar invested. Graduates who found work earn an average of $23 an hour, or about $47,840 a year.  Leila Melendez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex, stated: “Workforce Solutions exists to build a stronger regional economy, and that means investing in the sectors that power it: water, energy, manufacturing. The S4S SCADA program shows exactly how strategic workforce development works: identify the gap, build the pipeline, and get people into good jobs. We’re proud to have played a role in that for 40 new technicians and their families.”  Beyond creating job opportunities, SCADA training strengthens the technical capabilities needed to operate systems tied to water, energy, and other essential services. This contributes to more efficient management of processes and critical infrastructure, which is particularly relevant for a border region facing the challenges of population growth, industrial expansion, and climate change.  The project was made possible through a multisector partnership led by The Trust for the Americas; NADBank provided the funding; Western Technical College developed and delivered the training; and Workforce Solutions Borderplex provided matching funds and supported job placement and graduate follow-up.  “At NADBank, we believe strong communities grow when people have the opportunity to build meaningful careers while serving their neighbors. We are proud of these graduates and grateful to every partner who helped them develop the skills to support reliable water service and a brighter future for communities across the border region.” said John Beckham, NADBank Managing Director.  The model developed by The Trust’s S4S demonstrates the potential of connecting technical training with real labor market needs, generating employment opportunities and strengthening strategic sectors in the El Paso, Texas–Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua region.  About Skills for Sustainability (S4S):  Skills for Sustainability (S4S) is a technical training program designed by The Trust for the Americas to build specialized talent for strategic sectors such as water, energy, manufacturing and critical infrastructure, while promoting job opportunities, economic development and sustainability.  About The Trust for the Americas:  The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion by equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving world of work. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), The Trust builds strategic partnerships with the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society to expand opportunities throughout the region. With nearly 30 years of experience, the organization has impacted more than 6.3 million people in 30 countries, fostering economic opportunity and promoting innovation as a driver of progress across the Americas. For more information visit: https://trust-oea.org/

This initiative is part of the Creating Youth Prosperity Initiative, which will benefit more than 700 young people in Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and demonstrates how inter-American cooperation can translate into concrete opportunities for youth. Panama, June 25, 2026. During the week that Panama is hosting delegations from across the hemisphere for the General Assembly of the Organization of American States, Citi and The Trust for the Americas carried out volunteer activities in Panama and the Dominican Republic aimed at improving educational spaces and expanding opportunities for vulnerable youth. The initiative reflected the kind of partnerships promoted by the inter-American system, bringing together institutions, the private sector, local organizations, and educational communities to address shared challenges such as youth employability, digital inclusion, and preparation for the future of work. In Panama, the activity took place at the Dr. Octavio Méndez Pereira Educational Center, with the participation of volunteers from Citi, The Trust for the Americas, Fundación Emprendamos, teachers, students, and members of the educational community. Also in attendance was Ambassador Ana Irene Delgado, Panama’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, whose participation underscored the link between inter-American cooperation, the private sector, and the educational communities of the host country of the General Assembly. Malcolm Muñoz, Executive Director of Citi Panama, and Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas—an OAS-affiliated organization—led the event. Together with the volunteers, they helped restore the school library by cleaning, painting the walls, and creating an educational mural inspired by innovation, perseverance, reading, and the students“ goals. The library is a place where young people study, read, talk, and imagine their future. The project aims to improve a central space for school life. Restoring it also sends a visible message to the educational community about the value of investing in the spaces where learning takes place. ”Today we saw what cooperation means when it comes to a school and turns into concrete work alongside the community,“ said Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas. ”Every painted wall, every organized book, and every young person who enters this space reminds us that opportunities are not built from afar. They are built by listening to communities and working with them.“ Ambassador Delgado’s presence gave the event special significance during a week of great hemispheric importance for Panama. Her participation reinforced the message that the inter-American agenda is also expressed through local, visible, and concrete actions that open up opportunities for young people. Malcolm Muñoz, Executive Director of Citi Panama, noted that the event reflects Citi’s commitment to volunteerism and economic inclusion. ”Citi’s Global Community Day is an opportunity to serve, but also to listen,“ said Muñoz. ”When our volunteers work alongside teachers, young people, families, and local partners, we see firsthand the impact that a well-built partnership can have. This library stands as a symbol of what we want for Panama’s youth. More tools, more confidence, and more opportunities to get ahead.“ In the Dominican Republic, the event took place at the Ave María Polytechnic, where more than 100 volunteers from Citi and ITIERD—a local partner of The Trust for the Americas—participated. The teams worked alongside young people from the program to paint the school’s facade, create a school garden, and set up a recycling and art workshop. Rocío Velarde, Executive Director of Citi Dominican Republic, attended the event in Santo Domingo and highlighted the value of creating support networks for young people. ”This day is a powerful demonstration of Citi’s unwavering commitment to the development of the communities where we operate. Through collaboration and volunteerism, we are investing in the future of our youth, strengthening their skills, and building sustainable progress that benefits everyone,” she said. The Creating Youth Prosperity Initiative, supported by the Citi Foundation, addresses the need to prepare young people for a changing job market, where digital skills, financial literacy, adaptability, and exposure to the private sector are increasingly important. Both events took place as part of Citi Global Community Day, a global volunteer initiative by Citi that mobilizes employees in multiple countries to support their communities. In Panama and the Dominican Republic, the event brought together the private sector, civil society organizations, educational communities, and partners within the inter-American system around a common goal: to expand real opportunities for young people in the region. About The Trust for the Americas The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion by equipping people with the key skills they need to thrive in the new world of work. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), The Trust establishes strategic partnerships with the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors to expand opportunities throughout the region. With nearly 30 years of experience, it has impacted more than 6.3 million people in 29 countries, driving the development of economic opportunities and fostering innovation as a driver of progress in the Americas.

Founding leaders June DeHart, Esq., and Dr. Enrique Segura are taking on greater leadership roles on the Board as The Trust enters a new phase of regional impact, institutional visibility, and strategic growth. WASHINGTON, D.C., June 1, 2026. In Colombia, at the end of a Trust entrepreneurship program, a woman named Diana said: “I am no longer an entrepreneur. I am a businesswoman.” In Trinidad and Tobago, young innovators developed digital tools to address challenges in their own communities. One of them, Kwasi, reflected: “I was very passionate and deeply connected to my project. Being able to secure seed funding, after many mentoring sessions, was instrumental in helping me continue my venture.” In Argentina, María Gabriela, who participated in our digital and life skills initiatives, took what she learned and shared it with women with disabilities: “Everything I learned, I brought back to my workplace. Today, more than 60 people are moving forward with me.” For nearly three decades, across the Americas, these are the kinds of moments that have defined The Trust for the Americas, a private-sector-led affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS) that connects governments, communities, and the private sector to create opportunity where it is needed most. This month, The Trust announced a new chapter in that mission through a leadership transition on its Board of Directors. June Langston DeHart, Esq., will serve as Chair of the Board. A partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, Ms. DeHart focuses on federal legislative and regulatory matters and has extensive experience in the international, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure sectors at the law and consulting firm, which has offices throughout the United States. She previously served as Vice Chair of the Board. Dr. Enrique Segura, CEO of ENSE Group, returns to the Board as Vice Chairperson. ENSE Group is a holding company headquartered in Washington, D.C., with annual revenues of $3 billion and operations spanning more than 45 countries. Dr. Segura previously served as Chairperson of the Board. Both helped establish The Trust in 1997 alongside then-OAS Secretary General César Gaviria and Susan Benson. Guillermo Areas, Head of Government Relations and External Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean at the BMW Group, will continue to serve as Secretary of the Board. The transition follows the conclusion of Enrique García’s tenure as Chairman of the Board. As former Executive President of CAF—Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean—García helped strengthen The Trust’s regional partnerships and visibility throughout the Americas. “It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of The Trust for the Americas,” said Enrique García. “I leave this role confident that the organization is well positioned for its next chapter.” “Since its founding in 1997, The Trust has demonstrated the power of bringing together governments, the private sector, and local communities to create opportunities across the Americas,” said June Langston DeHart, incoming Chairperson of the Board. “Over the years, The Trust has impacted more than 6 million people across 29 countries. Our focus moving forward is expansion.” Today, the organization works alongside leaders such as Stanley Motta of Copa Holdings, Alberto “Tito” Arciniega of Microsoft, Enrique García of CAF, and OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin, as well as partners including Citi, EY, HP, Banco BHD, Mastercard, BMW Group, and Cemex, to help connect communities across Latin America and the Caribbean with the opportunities shaping the future economy. Some of these individuals serve on the governing body of The Trust. “The Trust is uniquely positioned to align the capabilities of the private sector with the priorities of governments and the needs of communities, thereby ensuring greater prosperity for all,” said incoming Vice Chairperson Dr. Enrique Segura. For governments, companies, and communities across the hemisphere, organizations like The Trust for the Americas continue to demonstrate how partnerships can create visible opportunities and tangible impact in people’s daily lives.

The Dominican Republic will host the pilot program, with the goal of expanding it to other countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Santo Domingo, June 1, 2026. – The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) and The Trust for the Americas have announced an artificial intelligence (AI) advisory program that will train 50 Dominican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over a seven-month period. The initiative will have nationwide reach and be delivered virtually, with support from the MiPymes Centers and Banco BHD. The Trust for the Americas, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), selected the Dominican Republic as the pilot location due to its leadership in business development policies, the strength of its SME ecosystem, and its political commitment to modernizing the sector. Yayo Sanz Lovatón, Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, stated: “SMEs account for the majority of formal employment in the Dominican Republic. This program comes at a time when AI adoption is no longer a competitive advantage but a survival requirement for the sector.” Today, many SMEs across the region use AI tools but lack the knowledge to apply them effectively in their day-to-day operations. Businesses without training in emerging technologies face a growing risk of falling behind competitively. For this reason, the pilot will provide practical guidance to help each company adopt AI tools tailored to its specific needs. “The success of this pilot will not be measured solely by how many companies adopt artificial intelligence, but by how many are able to grow, strengthen their operations, and compete in an increasingly digital economy. At The Trust for the Americas, we believe innovation only has value when it expands opportunities for more people, and this initiative represents a concrete step toward technology-driven economic inclusion in the region,” said Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas. Funding for the program comes from Banco BHD and other private-sector partners. Steven Puig, President of Banco BHD, stated: “Our institution serves more than 155,000 Dominican SMEs. This pilot represents a tangible opportunity to increase the productivity of participating businesses and enhance our country’s competitiveness.” The program emerged from a multi-stakeholder partnership forged through diplomacy. The Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the OAS established the institutional framework to connect MICM with The Trust for the Americas. Building on that foundation, three operational partners will make the pilot possible: (1) MICM will coordinate the selection of priority sectors. (2) The MiPymes Centers will facilitate demonstration sessions and training activities for participating companies. (3) Banco BHD will contribute its expertise in non-financial business development services, participate in identifying participating companies, and support implementation. This pilot serves as an example of how partnerships among governments, the private sector, and international organizations can be transformed into opportunities for people and businesses. Since its founding, The Trust for the Americas has worked to close economic inclusion gaps across the region through programs that have reached millions of entrepreneurs, young people, and vulnerable communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Based on the results of this initiative in the Dominican Republic, the organization will evaluate how to replicate the model in other countries across the region, making AI a growth tool accessible to any Latin American SME. About the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM): The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) is the governing body responsible for public policies related to industrial, commercial, and business development in the Dominican Republic. Through its Vice Ministry for MSME Development, it promotes the formalization, competitiveness, and growth of Dominican micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion by equipping individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving world of work. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), The Trust builds strategic partnerships with the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society to expand opportunities throughout the region. With nearly 30 years of experience, the organization has impacted more than 6.3 million people in 29 countries, fostering economic opportunity and promoting innovation as a driver of progress across the Americas.