Earlier this year, Santiago, Chile, became the hub for a critical conversation on the future of digital skilling.

Fueled by a spirit of innovation and collaboration, the 2026 Partner Conference brought together 130 partners, educators, and industry leaders. Together, they reaffirmed a powerful shared vision: Cisco Networking Academy is more than an educational program—it is an engine driving economic development and social mobility across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cisco Networking Academy is addressing the broader talent landscape across Latin America by expanding access to high-quality digital education and career opportunities. The program’s extensive community of partners, academies, and instructors ensures a steady pipeline of skilled students ready to tackle the evolving demands of the technology sector head-on.

Through strong partnerships with Academy Support Centers (ASCs) and Instructor Training Centers (ITCs), Cisco Networking Academy enables local organizations and institutions to expand both impact and reach, empowering learners with in-demand skills in networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies.

The goal of the conference was clear: to strengthen partnerships, share cutting-edge product updates, and reinforce Cisco’s role as a trusted advisor in the education sector.

The success of the Networking Academy depends on strong relationships with Academy Support Centers (ASCs) and Instructor Training Centers (ITCs), who work tirelessly to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and accessible.

A foundation for sustainable growth

Partners are the heart of the program. By providing operational, technical, and promotional support, these organizations ensure a steady pipeline of skilled students who are ready to build successful careers in the tech field. Throughout the conference, discussions focused on how the Cisco Networking Academy can continue to empower these organizations to recruit more academies and grow their local impact.

Fostering community, knowledge sharing, and collaboration remains a priority. By equipping instructors with the latest training and certification preparation, the program ensures that the quality of education remains high, regardless of a student’s location.

Innovating for the future: AI, quantum, and cybersecurity

The technology landscape changes daily, and the curriculum must keep up. A major highlight of the conference was the focus on emerging technologies.

Sessions explored how the Cisco Networking Academy is integrating AI, quantum computing, and industrial networking into the learning portfolio. These technologies are the tools that will define the next decade of the workforce. By positioning the curriculum at the intersection of these innovations, the program prepares students to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0. Whether through game-based learning for subnetting or advanced cybersecurity workshops, the goal is to turn complex concepts into actionable skills that lead to meaningful careers.

Beyond the classroom, the conference highlighted the continued commitment to our mission: connecting the unconnected and closing the digital skills gap. Local authorities and regional partners gathered to discuss how the Cisco Networking Academy enables partners to develop the skills required to grow countries, industries, and economies.

Technology acts as a catalyst for equity. When students are provided with the right tools and the right instructors to guide them, the process goes beyond teaching technical configurations; it involves building a better future for entire communities. From Mexico to Chile, alumni are using their new skills, certifications, and experience to land jobs, internships, and academic opportunities, turning learning into lasting impact.

Celebrating partner excellence

In addition to the future of the Cisco Networking Academy program in LATAM, we were honored to celebrate the never-ending dedication of our partners during the conference’s award ceremony.

Chile’s Instituto Profesional INACAP was recognized with the prestigious Golden Bridge award for its unwavering commitment to student success and curriculum integration, setting a new benchmark for excellence. Following the same spirit of innovation, we awarded the Escola de Comunicações do Exército Brasileiro in Brazil and the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica with the Be the Bridge award, celebrating their leadership in scaling high-quality tech training.

While these partners were able to stand on stage and receive their awards in Santiago, our gratitude extends far beyond the conference walls. An additional thirty academies across Latin America received the Premier or Premier Plus recognition this year. It is also worth noting the outstanding performance across the region, specifically in Brazil, which secured a total of 18 Premiere Awards, more than double that of any other country and surpassing Nigeria, which currently has seven.

The full list of Premier and Premier Plus Partners was released in January and is available on netacad.com.

Though they could not join us in person, their tireless efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower their local communities are the driving force behind our program’s success in the region. Every partner, academy, and instructor plays a critical role in opening doors of opportunity, changing lives, and single-handedly building the next generation of talent to thrive in a digital world.

Future focused: stronger together

The conference was more than an event; it was a bridge between past achievements and future ambitions, connecting industry and academia, technology and opportunity, vision and action. The Cisco Networking Academy remains committed to leading education, ensuring that opportunities continue to expand for learners across the region.

The dedication of the partners who attended the event in Chile highlights the passion and commitment driving this program. Together, these efforts are shaping the future of the digital workforce.

 

Join the Cisco Networking Academy Community today. Empower students, connect with industry leaders, and help shape the future of tech education across Latin America.