El Paso, Texas — February 11, 2026. Nine trainees celebrated their completion of the second cohort of Skills for Sustainability (S4S) SCADA Training Project during a graduation ceremony held at Western Technical College. Led by The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and Western Tech, and funded by the North American Development Bank, the S4S initiative equips participants with the technical and socio-emotional skills needed to operate and maintain Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. These systems are critical digital infrastructure that enables water and energy utilities to monitor and manage operations in real time.
Through a comprehensive blend of classroom instruction, hands-on technical training, and job placement support, the project directly responds to the Paso del Norte region’s growing demand for skilled SCADA professionals and strengthens the local workforce pipeline for essential infrastructure sectors.
The graduation ceremony brought together representatives from key partner institutions, including Rogelio Luna, Strategic Partnerships Manager from Workforce Solutions Borderplex; Renata Manning-Gbogbo, Head of the Capacity and Technical Assistance Unit at the North American Development Bank (NADBank); and Brad Kuykendall, CEO of Western Technical College.
“NADBank finances infrastructure projects in the U.S.–Mexico border region to improve quality of life on both sides of the border. Through loans, grants, and technical assistance, we invest not only in critical infrastructure, but in the people who make it possible. Developed in collaboration with our partners, the Skills for Sustainability project brings this commitment to life by strengthening workforce skills to build healthier communities and deliver lasting benefits for border residents,” said Renata Manning-Gbogbo, Head of the Capacity and Technical Assistance Unit at NADBank.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to strategic workforce development by investing in training that directly responds to labor market needs. By preparing participants for critical infrastructure careers, we are advancing economic mobility for residents while supporting long-term workforce solutions for regional employers. Collaboration with industry, training providers, and community partners remains essential to creating sustainable opportunities and ensuring lasting success for both talent and regional growth.” said Rogelio Luna, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Workforce Solutions Borderplex.
“Western Technical College is grateful for the opportunity to deliver this training and to work alongside our partners in supporting the growth of our local workforce. Projects like Skills for Sustainability allow us to equip individuals with the technical skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving career pathways while strengthening the talent pipeline for critical infrastructure industries in our region. Seeing our trainees complete this project and move toward meaningful career advancement reinforces our commitment to education that directly impacts both individuals and the community as a whole,” said John Nunez, Customized Training Director, WTC.
These outcomes underscore the program’s role in building a resilient, future-ready technical workforce for the Paso del Norte region. To date, S4S has trained eight participants through its first SCADA cohort, and it will train an additional 16 participants during the first semester of 2026, with the intent of strengthening the region’s utility and industrial workforce pipeline.
“Skills for Sustainability is about expanding economic opportunity while building the capacity of essential public services. By investing in SCADA training, we’re helping communities strengthen their infrastructure and creating pathways to quality jobs,” said Jorge Marquez Gaspar, Project Manager, The Trust for the Americas.
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About The Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) 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 as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in 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.
More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org