{"id":16329,"date":"2025-11-05T02:02:52","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T02:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/?p=16329"},"modified":"2026-02-11T20:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:58:09","slug":"the-trust-for-the-americas-launches-scada-training-program-to-strengthen-water-sector-workforce-in-el-paso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/the-trust-for-the-americas-launches-scada-training-program-to-strengthen-water-sector-workforce-in-el-paso\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trust for the Americas Launches a SCADA Training Project to Strengthen the Water Sector Workforce in El Paso\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

El Paso, Texas \u2013 October 2025. <\/strong>With one in three water sector employees nearing retirement and more than 10,000 new openings projected each year, initiatives that reskill and upskill professionals in this sector are critical. In this context, The Trust for the Americas<\/strong>, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB)<\/strong>, Western Technical College <\/strong>and El Paso Water<\/strong>, officially launched the first training cohort of Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) <\/strong>training program in El Paso, Texas, a cutting-edge initiative funded by the North American Development Bank (NADBank),<\/strong> Workforce Solutions Borderplex, and Texas Workforce Commission <\/strong>to address the growing demand for skilled technicians in the water sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis project is about more than technical training; it is about creating opportunities for our residents to thrive in the industries that keep our region moving,\u201d <\/em>said Leila Melendez<\/strong>, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Borderplex<\/strong>. \u201cThrough collaboration and innovation, we are building a workforce that reflects the strength, skill, and resilience of the Borderplex community and advancing our region\u2019s position as a leader in sustainable, technology-driven growth.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project aims to upskill individuals with electronics engineering backgrounds to meet the increasing need for expertise in SCADA system operations, integration, and diagnostics. Combining classroom instruction, lab sessions, and hands-on field experience, S4S equips participants with both the technical proficiency and professional readiness needed for immediate employment in modern water utilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis program exemplifies how collaboration between education, industry, and workforce partners can produce real results for communities,\u201d <\/em>said Jorge M\u00e1rquez<\/strong>, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas<\/strong>. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re ensuring that our workforce is prepared for the technologies driving sustainable water management.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Borderplex region, SCADA certification represents both a strategic and inclusive investment in the local workforce. As industries across water, energy, and manufacturing adopt smarter and more automated systems, the need for skilled technicians capable of managing, monitoring, and securing these technologies continues to grow. This training not only supports the modernization of critical infrastructure but also creates pathways to sustainable, high-skilled employment that strengthen both the regional economy and the resilience of border communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe S4S SCADA project benefits the community by cultivating a pipeline for a skilled workforce to fill critical positions and build careers for participants,\u201d<\/em> said John Balliew<\/strong>, President and CEO of El Paso Water<\/strong>. \u201cWe are grateful to The Trust for the Americas, NADBank, Workforce Solutions, and Western Tech for turning a workforce challenge into a shared success.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Western Technical College, we take pride in supporting the training of the technicians of tomorrow, working hand in hand with our partners to bridge the skills gap in the workforce and prepare today\u2019s learners to become tomorrow\u2019s leaders,<\/em>\u201d<\/em> <\/em>said John Nunez, Cuztomized Training Director of Western Tech.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of 37 participants will complete the SCADA training project by mid-2026, beginning with the first cohort of 9 trainees, who started on September 29, 2025, and will transition directly into positions at El Paso Water following graduation on November 13, 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skills for Sustainability (S4S), an initiative of The Trust for the Americas, empowers communities through workforce training that drives sustainable infrastructure and equitable economic growth. The SCADA Training Project stands as a strategic investment in the future of water system operations, bridging the gap between technical education and employment. By equipping participants with high-demand IT and automation skills, the program not only responds to regional workforce needs but also strengthens the capacity and resilience of utilities that are vital to sustainable water management across the border region.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/strong>\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Trust for the Americas:\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, aim to improve access to economic opportunities and foster innovation in vulnerable communities throughout the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information:www.thetrustfortheamericas.org<\/a>\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

El Paso, Texas \u2013 October 2025. With one in three water sector employees nearing retirement and more than 10,000 new job openings projected each year, initiatives to reskill and upskill professionals in this sector are critical. In this context, The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB), Western Technical College, and El Paso Water, officially launched the first training cohort of the Skills for Sustainability (S4S) Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) training program in El Paso, Texas\u2014a cutting-edge initiative funded by the North American Development Bank (NADBank), Workforce Solutions Borderplex, and the Texas Workforce Commission to address the growing demand for skilled technicians in the water sector.\u00a0 \u201cThis project is about more than technical training; it is about creating opportunities for our residents to thrive in the industries that keep our region moving,\u201d said Leila Melendez, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Borderplex. \u201cThrough collaboration and innovation, we are building a workforce that reflects the strength, skill, and resilience of the Borderplex community and advancing our region\u2019s position as a leader in sustainable, technology-driven growth.\u201d\u00a0 The project aims to upskill individuals with backgrounds in electronics engineering to meet the growing need for expertise in SCADA system operations, integration, and diagnostics. By combining classroom instruction, lab sessions, and hands-on field experience, S4S equips participants with both the technical proficiency and professional readiness needed for immediate employment in modern water utilities.\u00a0 \u201cThis program exemplifies how collaboration between education, industry, and workforce partners can produce real results for communities,\u201d said Jorge M\u00e1rquez, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas. \u201cTogether, we\u2019re ensuring that our workforce is prepared for the technologies driving sustainable water management.\u201d For the Borderplex region, SCADA certification represents both a strategic and inclusive investment in the local workforce. As industries across water, energy, and manufacturing adopt smarter and more automated systems, the need for skilled technicians capable of managing, monitoring, and securing these technologies continues to grow. This training not only supports the modernization of critical infrastructure but also creates pathways to sustainable, high-skilled employment that strengthen both the regional economy and the resilience of border communities.\u00a0 \u201cThe S4S SCADA project benefits the community by cultivating a pipeline of skilled workers to fill critical positions and build careers for participants,\u201d said John Balliew, President and CEO of El Paso Water. \u201cWe are grateful to The Trust for the Americas, NADBank, Workforce Solutions, and Western Tech for turning a workforce challenge into a shared success.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cAt Western Technical College, we take pride in supporting the training of tomorrow\u2019s technicians, working hand in hand with our partners to bridge the skills gap in the workforce and prepare today\u2019s learners to become tomorrow\u2019s leaders,\u201d said John Nunez, Director of Customized Training at Western Tech.\u00a0 A total of 37 participants will complete the SCADA training project by mid-2026, beginning with the first cohort of 9 trainees, who started on September 29, 2025, and will transition directly into positions at El Paso Water following graduation on November 13, 2025.\u00a0 Skills for Sustainability (S4S), an initiative of The Trust for the Americas, empowers communities through workforce training that drives sustainable infrastructure and equitable economic growth. The SCADA Training Project represents a strategic investment in the future of water system operations, bridging the gap between technical education and employment. By equipping participants with high-demand IT and automation skills, the program not only addresses regional workforce needs but also strengthens the capacity and resilience of utilities that are vital to sustainable water management across the border region.\u00a0 ***\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f About The\u202fTrust for the Americas:\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0 \u202f\u202f\u00a0 The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities and foster innovation in vulnerable communities throughout the hemisphere. To this end, Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. More information:\u202fwww.thetrustfortheamericas.org\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f <\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":16330,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,145],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-press-releases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16329"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16504,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16329\/revisions\/16504"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trust-oea.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16329"}],"curies":[{"name":"well played","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}