Santo Domingo, DR – The National Institute for Technical–Professional Training (INFOTEP) has trained more than 2.7 million Dominicans during President Luis Abinader’s administration, a milestone hailed as a catalyst for job creation, innovation, and economic development, according to INFOTEP Director Rafael Santos Badía.
Speaking on the television program Aeromundo, hosted by Guillermo Gómez, Santos Badía emphasized that the institute has evolved into a modern engine of workforce transformation, with 67,000 individuals earning high-level technical certifications in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to drone operation and rail transport.
“INFOTEP has gone far beyond its traditional role. It’s no longer just a culinary school. Today, we’re certifying professionals across a wide array of strategic and emerging sectors—locally and internationally,” said Santos Badía.
Nationwide and International Expansion
INFOTEP now has a presence in all 32 provinces of the Dominican Republic and operates in 42 cities abroad, primarily serving Dominican communities in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These overseas centers provide free training programs, reinforcing ties with the diaspora while fostering international professional development.
Among INFOTEP’s landmark achievements are:
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A train operator training center in Villa Mella
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Advanced logistics simulators in Haina
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New hospitality training facilities in Bávaro and Montecristi
The institute has also strengthened its certification program for skilled workers without formal academic credentials, offering validation in fields such as carpentry, electrical work, masonry, and audiovisual production.
Strategic Industry Partnerships
Through alliances with hotel chains, tobacco companies, and multinational corporations, INFOTEP has tailored its programs to meet real-time market demands, helping bridge the skills gap across key sectors of the economy.
“There is a national demand for INFOTEP training,” Santos Badía noted. “This institutional transformation reflects President Abinader’s vision of placing technical and professional education at the core of our country’s economic and social advancement.”
New Centers to Expand Reach
Looking ahead, INFOTEP is preparing to launch new training centers in Jarabacoa, Las Terrenas, Guerra, Villa Duarte, and Jimaní. These facilities aim to extend technical training access to under-resourced areas and strategically important regions, further enhancing the Dominican Republic’s capacity for workforce readiness.
As the country continues to prioritize technical education as a tool for growth, INFOTEP’s nationwide footprint and modernized curriculum underscore its pivotal role in shaping the future of the Dominican labor market.
