New Cyber Security Apprenticeship program to launch during National Apprenticeship Week
San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 13, 2023 – Today, as part of National Apprenticeship Week, LUMA launched a new Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. The new Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program will help train the next generation of cyber security professionals and provide on-the-job experience in addition to supporting LUMA’s Information Technology department, led by CIO Crystal Allen
“The Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program is exciting news for Puerto Rico, and for our goal to develop the best trained Puerto Rican workforce that will help protect our electric system for years to come. We want to express our deep thanks for the continued support of the Department of Labor and our education partners like the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Working together, we are further expanding the skills and training of our local team that is already working hard every day to build a better energy future for our customers,” said LUMA President and CEO Juan Saca.
“During this National Apprenticeship Week, we are proud to partner with LUMA on their Cyber Security Apprenticeship and to recognize the successes of their existing apprenticeship programs registered with us at the U.S. Department of Labor,” said Charles A. McNeil, Deputy Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor. “Apprenticeships everywhere are critical to re-building economies, advancing equity, and building a pipeline to good, quality jobs, and LUMA is making great advances towards each of these priorities.”
LUMA Cyber Security Apprenticeship
The Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program is a two-year program involving 3400-4000 hours of on-the-job training and 288+ hours of educational curriculum from the university, after which individuals will receive a Cyber Security Certification. Participants will specialize in information technology and cyber defense response.
LUMA Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities
The new Cyber Security Apprenticeship Program builds on LUMA’s significant efforts to train the next generation of Puerto Rican energy workers, as reflected by its existing Lineworker Apprenticeship Program – the first lineworker program in Puerto Rico to be certified by the U.S. Department of Labor in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 222. The Lineworker Apprenticeship Program, which is operated in partnership with LUMA College, is currently hiring 16 new apprentices and looking for a range of diverse applicants, including women, veterans and Puerto Ricans from across the island to join the 220 lineworker apprentices, including 15 females, who are currently enrolled in the program.
Additionally, LUMA supports two apprenticeship programs with the Department of Labor including the Substation Apprenticeship Program, with 31 existing participants, and the Underground Residential Distribution (URD) Apprenticeship Program, with 28 existing participants.
Since LUMA assumed operations of the transmission and distribution system in 2021, lineworkers, technicians and field crews have made historic progress to improve Puerto Rico’s energy grid that includes reducing service interruptions by 35% in the first two years of operations, connecting over 71,000 customers to rooftop solar, and initiating 411 FEMA projects representing $11.7 billion as part of its daily work throughout the island to strengthen the system and continue improving service reliability.
For more information about LUMA’s progress, visit: progresodelumapr.com.
About LUMA
LUMA is a Puerto Rican company that, since June 1, 2021, operates and manages the electric power transmission and distribution system in Puerto Rico. LUMA is a company driven by a mission to transform the electrical transmission and distribution system to provide all Puerto Ricans with the reliable, resilient, cleaner, and affordable electrical service they deserve. As a customer-centric company, LUMA’s entire workforce of nearly 4,500 employees is focused on safely delivering an exceptional customer service experience to its 1.5 million customers.
