- The “Skills for Sustainability” (S4S) program trained individuals to strengthen the specialized talent pool for the water, energy, manufacturing and critical infrastructure sectors in the border region.
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.
Sobre o 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/