The Dominican government plans to enroll 10,000 youth at ITLA this year, as revealed by the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza. This announcement seeks to raise the country’s technological capacity and position it on the global innovation map. The Instituto Tecnológico de las Américas (ITLA) has grown from two centers in 2020 to 12 today, which facilitates this ambitious goal of 10,000 youth at ITLA.
Announcement at the National Palace
During an event at the National Palace led by President Luis Abinader, Paliza detailed these initiatives. It coincided with the presentation of a project for a submarine digital exchange port, backed by Google with an investment of US$500 million. These measures consolidate the Dominican Republic as a competitive nation in technology, integrating it into global value chains.
ITLA and the National Semiconductor Strategy
The plan for 10,000 youth at ITLA aligns with the National Strategy for the Promotion of the Semiconductor Industry (Enfis), published last year. Launched in August 2025, Enfis not only boosts semiconductors, but also modernizes human capital and attracts quality jobs. Ian Steff, former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce and president of mySilicon Compass, who collaborated on its design, highlighted the political stability and economic growth of the Dominican Republic.
Historical context of ITLA
Founded in 2001, ITLA has trained thousands of technicians in areas such as programming and networking. In 2025, it enrolled nearly 8,000 students, a 50% jump compared to 2020, according to official data from the Ministry of Higher Education. Experts like Steff emphasize that strategies like Enfis leverage ties with the U.S. to generate 20,000 semiconductor jobs by 2030, according to Inter-American Development Bank projections.
- ITLA Growth: From 2 to 12 centers in six years.
- Google Investment: US$500 million in submarine connectivity.
- Enfis: Comprehensive modernization focusing on trained youth.
These actions respond to the global demand for tech talent. The Dominican Republic reported a rising GDP per capita of 5% annually, driven by technology exports. The Government estimates that 10,000 youth at ITLA will generate impact in key industries. Paliza stressed that the country is moving toward an inclusive digital economy. Enfis and ITLA position the nation as a Caribbean hub. This year, the goal of 10,000 youth at ITLA marks a milestone in professional training.