SANTO DOMINGO.- The National Institute of Technical and Professional Training (INFOTEP), in coordination with the Genera ITM Foundation, graduated 63 participants from the first distinctive diploma program of the cruise port in Cabo Rojo, a pioneering initiative aimed at preparing local human talent in technical, operational and service skills linked to the port and tourism industry.
With this graduation, both institutions, together with the support of the Catholic Technological University of Barahona (UCATEBA), ITEM Group and Port Cabo Rojo, consolidate a technical and professional training strategy aimed at strengthening the economic and tourism development of the Pedernales province, through the articulation of alliances between the public sector, the private sector and the actors linked to the port operation.
The graduation ceremony was led by the director of professional training at INFOTEP, Luis Beltré, Lludy Terrero, director of the Genera ITM Foundation, and was attended by the governor of the Pedernales province, Edirda De Óleo, as well as local authorities, representatives of the business sector and members of the community.
Beltré highlighted that, starting in 2023, the Southern Regional Directorate of INFOTEP has significantly strengthened training processes through strategic alliances with companies and operational services of Port Cabo Rojo, ITM Groups and the Genera ITM Foundation.
“We have been developing training activities directly linked to the port, tourism, services and operational safety sectors, in line with the growth and economic transformation of this important region,” said Beltré, according to a press release.
For her part, Lludy Terrero reported that since the implementation of the program in the province of Pedernales, they have managed to train 2,747 people together with INFOTEP, through 129 training actions.
He also indicated that, during 2024, 384 people accessed temporary jobs linked to port operations, of which 156 currently have permanent jobs at Port Cabo Rojo.
“We especially thank INFOTEP for its ongoing support in training processes, and UCATEBA Pedernales for opening its facilities and adding its academic support to this diploma program,” Terrero emphasized.
The graduation ceremony took place at the Baby Beach facility, a recreational space located within the Port of Cabo Rojo, conceived as a welcome and recreation area for cruise ship passengers arriving in the province of Pedernales, and which is part of the operational and tourist environment of the port.
About the diploma
The distinctive cruise port diploma is a specialized training program designed to prepare local human talent in the key skills demanded by the cruise industry, with an emphasis on service quality, hospitality, safety and sustainability.
The program is developed by INFOTEP in coordination with strategic partners in the port and tourism sector, and includes content such as customer service and cruise passenger care, effective communication, culture and destination, basic English applied to tourism, risk prevention, operational safety and best practices in port environments.
Its implementation in Cabo Rojo seeks to ensure that the community of Pedernales has trained personnel to integrate directly and competitively into the cruise tourism value chain.
