Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


IBM, Hispanic Heritage Foundation Providing Free SkillsBuild Tech Courses to Latino Students

  • By Kate Lucariello
  • 10/25/22

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation has partnered with IBM Education to provide IBM's SkillsBuild education program to Latino high school students free of charge, giving them skills they need to meet workforce demands, according to a news release.

IBM SkillsBuild helps learners develop new skills, with the aim of preparing them for 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, HHF said in its announcement. "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, available in both 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 on the IBM website.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • tool icons with variety of business icons

    SETDA Releases Free EdTech Quality Action Toolkit

    The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has put together a free K-12 EdTech Quality Action Toolkit that provides a framework for evaluating education technology products as well as guidance on regulatory compliance, templates for communicating with vendors, training resources, and more.

  • Young child

    When Technology Serves Learning, Not the Other Way Around

    A reflection on designing learning experiences where technology supports instruction rather than defines it.

  • abstract colored blocks

    OpenAI Letting Go of Sora Short-Form AI Video Platform

    OpenAI is reportedly getting rid of Sora, its generative AI model that creates short video clips from text prompts, images, or existing video inputs. The move upends the company's December partnership with The Walt Disney Company.

  • abstract generative AI technology

    Apple and Google Announce AI Deal to Bring Gemini Models to Siri

    Apple and Google have embarked on a multiyear partnership that will put Google's Gemini models and cloud technology at the core of the next generation of Apple Foundation Models, a move that could help Apple accelerate long-promised upgrades to Siri while handing Google a high-profile distribution win on the iPhone.