Puerto Rico signs Amazon Web Services deal for free tech training
Gov. Jenniffer González announced that the government of Puerto Rico has signed a collaborative agreement with Amazon Web Services to offer free online training courses in cybersecurity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The signing took place during a press conference at La Fortaleza, where González was joined by Felipe do Carmo, head of public sector for Central America and the Caribbean at Amazon Web Services.
“Amazon Web Services and the government of Puerto Rico have just signed a pact in which Amazon has made a commitment to train and educate people in Puerto Rico, with some 80 hours of credits in an online course to train them on cybersecurity, access to the cloud and artificial intelligence,” González said.
The online modules will be available starting in December, with a launch date to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The courses will be open to anyone with internet access and a computer, cellphone or tablet. Participants will be able to complete the training at their own pace.
González said the government will ensure the training receives academic recognition. “We are going to certify the educational credits by working with the Education Department, the University of Puerto Rico and the regulatory authorities,” she said.
“These courses will allow the entire population to access training and have the tools necessary to apply for AI-related jobs,” González said. “The only requirement is internet access and a device. The modules can be taken at any time, without fixed schedules, and participants will receive certification directly from Amazon Web Services, the safest and biggest platform.”
González cited a World Economic Forum study projecting that by 2030, 78 million new jobs will be created worldwide in technology fields and that by 2028, 97% of companies are expected to be using AI.
She also noted that many Puerto Ricans already have technology skills but cannot afford university degrees or specialized training.
“This is a great opportunity for Puerto Rico,” González said. “Countries like Panama, Argentina and Brazil have collaborated with Amazon before to carry out this kind of training. The difference is that we are taking it to the next level.”
“Within the next month, we will execute the official government contract with AWS for the content of the courses that will be offered free of charge,” she said. “Puerto Rico wins a lot with this because we are training the future workforce, as well as elderly citizens, public school students, teachers, professors, public employees and anyone else interested in participating.”
“We will launch a public campaign, and we believe this initiative could impact more than 50,000 people,” she added.
AWS’s do Carmo called the agreement a significant step for Puerto Rico.
“What has been announced today represents a world of opportunities for young people, for workers who want to learn more about technology, and even for elderly citizens who want to understand AI,” he said.
“I think this program will help young people fill their minds with knowledge,” he added. “We want to help transform Puerto Rico into a technology hub. For that to happen, people need to be trained.”
The government plans to announce additional details in the coming weeks, including how participants can register.
Earlier this week, Amazon Music announced it had teamed up with Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny on a series of initiatives to support Puerto Rico’s economy, education and community development, building on the momentum of his historic “No me quiero ir de aquí” residency at the Puerto Rico Coliseum.
The collaboration will culminate Sept. 20 with a special event, “No me quiero ir de aquí: Una más,” at the coliseum. For the first time, a residency concert will be broadcast live, free of charge, on Amazon Music, Prime Video and Twitch at 8:30 p.m. eastern time.
