IBM Partners with Hispanic Heritage Foundation to Provide Latinos with Free Technology Skills

  • By Kate Lucariello
  • 10/18/22

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) has announced a collaboration with IBM Education to provide IBM's SkillsBuild education program to Latino college and high school students, young professionals, and adult learners free of charge, giving them skills they need to meet workforce demands.

IBM SkillsBuild is a free program that helps develop new skills and provide career opportunities in tech fields. The program provides digital content, personal mentoring, and hands-on learning in technology, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving skills, the foundation noted. "Our collective mission is to provide training and opportunities for our community to make an impact in the tech sector. We are grateful to IBM for allowing us to leverage their expertise and pathways in preparing the Latinx community for jobs that desperately need to be filled," said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF.

Courses, given in English and Spanish, will include communication and leadership skills, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and others. "I see every day the great opportunity to invest in skilling the next generation of STEM talent from the Hispanic community," said Claudia Cortes Romanelli, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at IBM. "We look forward to working with HHF as part of our commitment to equitably skill 30 million people worldwide."

HHF's mission focuses on education, the workforce, identity, and social impact through leadership and culture. Visit the organization's website to learn more about how it addresses its goals. IBM Education focuses on a personalized and diverse approach to STEM career and workforce readiness through its free programs to public schools, universities, aspiring professionals, and job seekers. In 2021 IBM committed to equip 30 million people worldwide by 2030 with skills they need to meet current and emerging technology career demands, with special emphasis on underrepresented communities. Learn more about this effort here.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

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