The Puerto Rico Broadband Program, known as Smart Island, announced the availability of two funds for one of the programs focused on increasing and training more broadband workforce on the island.

El “Community Recruiting Partners Grants Program” has an allocation of $450,000 and is earmarked for promotion, recruitment and outreach efforts to promote the growth of the broadband workforce in Puerto Rico.

The types of projects that could be used by this grant program include community organizations that seek to promote broadband job opportunities, obtain funds to distribute marketing materials, and track distribution. With the objective of making communities aware of broadband employment opportunities; attracting students to training programs related to broadband; connecting candidates with employers and broadband workforce initiatives, and supporting candidates with the process of navigating employment.

“We have an historic opportunity to stimulate economic development through investments in broadband. For this, it is necessary to prioritize talent and invest to train more workforce, providing better training and employment opportunities, and seeking to meet the needs of the broadband industry in Puerto Rico,” explained the executive director of the Smart Island program, Michelle M. Cabiya Zorrilla.

The deadline to apply is May 16, 2024. Funding for this grant program will come from local funds from the Puerto Rico Broadband Program, called the Puerto Rico Broadband Infrastructure Fund (PRBIF), within the framework of the Office of Management and Budget (OGP).

On the other hand, the”Broadband Workforce Training Providers” has a total of $5.1 million and seeks to establish pilot programs to improve/expand existing programs, using training providers to develop educational programs and upgrade existing degrees with credentials in high speed internet and telecommunications. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024.

“This program aims to improve the skills of professionals and address the critical need for qualified talent in the expansion of high-speed internet infrastructure in Puerto Rico, as well as to improve connectivity, promote economic growth and reduce the digital divide throughout the island,” added Cabiya Zorrilla.

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