The future of work, on board: Young people in Puerto Rico get an up-close look at the maritime industry
Junior Achievement Americas and Crowley announced a new partnership, implemented with the support of the Puerto Rico Department of Education. This edition aims to reach more than 350 young people with work readiness programs related to maritime transportation, logistics and the supply chain.
On Friday, September 18, more than 50 young people from the Socios program visited Crowley's facilities at the Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The visit was part of this new partnership between Junior Achievement Americas (J) and Crowley to expand access to work readiness programs on the island.
During the visit, students toured the terminal and a Crowley vessel and talked with industry professionals. They got a first-hand look at the careers that sustain Puerto Rico's economy and connectivity. Maritime transportation is essential to the island: about 80% of its imports arrive through its ports.
The initiative combines Junior Achievement Americas' work readiness programs with Crowley's more than 70 years of history in Puerto Rico. It is implemented with the support of the Puerto Rico Department of Education, which is helping bring these programs into public high schools with a technical and vocational focus. In this edition, the curriculum is expected to reach more than 350 students between the ages of 15 and 19. Activities include self-awareness, networking, interview preparation and exposure to the industry, including mentoring and workplace experiences.
Since 2022, Crowley has supported JA in work readiness and financial education programs in the continental United States and Central America, reaching approximately 9,000 students. In recognition of this work, Junior Achievement of Northeast Florida named Crowley its 2025 Company of the Year.
Voices of the Partnership
"At Junior Achievement Americas, we believe that preparing young people for the future means giving them the tools, experiences and opportunities they need to build their own path. In Puerto Rico, we work alongside our partners to connect students with the world of work, helping them develop skills and explore career opportunities. This partnership with Crowley and the Puerto Rico Department of Education allows us to expand that work and prepare more young people to contribute to the future of their communities and of Puerto Rico." — Noël Zemborain, President of Junior Achievement Americas
“This partnership is about connecting students with real possibilities while investing in Puerto Rico’s future. By pairing Junior Achievement America’s proven career-readiness curriculum with Crowley’s maritime, transportation and logistics expertise, we can help students see a path to rewarding careers that contribute to the island’s growth and prosperity. When young people can envision successful futures in Puerto Rico, they are more likely to build their lives and careers here, strengthening local communities, supporting economic development and helping ensure the long-term vitality of the region we have proudly served for generations,” — Francheska Bensan, Vice President of Human Resources and Talent Strategy at Crowley
"This agreement represents a unique opportunity for our students to broaden their education and gain firsthand exposure to the professional opportunities available in sectors that are so important to Puerto Rico, such as maritime transportation, logistics and supply chain management. Education becomes even more valuable when we are able to combine the knowledge acquired in the classroom with real-world workplace experiences. We thank Crowley and Junior Achievement Americas for this partnership, which will allow our students to develop skills, receive mentorship, explore career pathways, and better prepare for their professional future. This is precisely the kind of collaboration that we want to continue advancing at the Puerto Rico Department of Education." — Eliezer Ramos Parés, Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico
