Crowley Partners with Junior Achievement Americas to Enhance Workforce Development in Puerto Rico

Crowley, a leader in maritime and logistics solutions, is taking significant strides to foster career development in Puerto Rico through a new partnership with Junior Achievement Americas (JAA). This collaboration aims to extend professional opportunities to over 350 students in Puerto Rico, targeting industries such as maritime, logistics, and supply chain management.

In Puerto Rico, nearly 80% of imports come through its ports, underscoring the necessity for skilled professionals in these crucial sectors. Crowley’s commitment of $40,000 will enable JAA to implement effective workforce development programs that will reach more students than ever before. Since 2022, this partnership has already engaged about 9,000 students and recently received the Junior Achievement Company of the Year award in Northeast Florida for 2025.

A Transformative Experience for Students

On September 18, around 60 students were welcomed at Crowley’s Isla Grande terminal in San Juan, where they had the opportunity to tour the facility, meet Crowley employees, and explore the ConRo vessel, Taino. These experiences are designed to provide students with a tangible understanding of the professions available within the maritime and logistics fields, which are vital for Puerto Rico’s economy and community welfare.

The initiative combines Crowley’s industry knowledge with JAA’s preparation programs, helping students explore career paths, develop job skills, and understand how global trade and supply chains contribute to community development and economic growth. Together with the Puerto Rico Department of Education, Crowley and JAA are rolling out workforce preparation programs in public high schools focusing on vocational training.

Over the next few years, this curriculum initiative is expected to touch the lives of at least 350 students aged 15 to 19. Through activities that emphasize self-awareness, networking, interview readiness, and hands-on sector engagement, students will learn about professional opportunities in maritime and transportation while aligning their skills with job market demands in Puerto Rico.

Addressing Economic Needs

As an essential component of Puerto Rico’s trade and daily life, the maritime industry plays a crucial role in supporting local economies. According to the Puerto Rico Port Authority, with the majority of the island's imports arriving by sea, professions tied to maritime operations, logistics, and supply management are more crucial than ever.

“This partnership is designed to offer students genuine opportunities while investing in Puerto Rico's future. By merging JAA's proven career preparation program with Crowley’s expertise in maritime, transportation, and logistics sectors, we can help students envision pathways to rewarding professional careers that foster growth and prosperity on the island,” stated Francheska Bensan, Vice President of Human Resources and Talent Strategy at Crowley.

Noël Zemborain, President of Junior Achievement Americas, added, “We believe that preparing youth for the future involves equipping them with the tools, experiences, and opportunities they need to carve their own paths. In Puerto Rico, collaborating with partners allows us to connect students to the workforce.”

Eliezer Ramos Parés, the Secretary of Education of Puerto Rico, remarked on the unique opportunity this agreement brings, emphasizing that education gains immense value when students can correlate classroom knowledge with real-world experiences. “We express our gratitude to Crowley and Junior Achievement Americas for this collaboration, which allows our students to develop skills, receive guidance, explore careers, and better prepare for their professional futures.”

Future Impact

In addition to the $40,000 grant, Crowley employees are set to participate in career roundtables, port visits, and workplace observation activities. This outreach is projected to engage 50 to 100 students annually, providing them with firsthand insights into the professions that sustain Puerto Rico's supply chains and transport networks.

Crowley has been actively collaborating with Junior Achievement to support workforce development and financial education programs across the continental United States and Central America since 2022. To date, this partnership has organized 418 experiential learning activities, facilitated 174 classroom programs, involved over 100 industry volunteers, and reached approximately 9,000 students over nearly 60,000 learning hours.

Recognizing its efforts, Crowley was honored with the ‘Company of the Year’ award from Junior Achievement for Northeast Florida in 2025.

With over 70 years of providing maritime, logistics, and energy solutions, Crowley remains a vital link for connecting businesses and residents in Puerto Rico to essential goods and supplies via various U.S. ports and beyond. For more information, visit Crowley’s website.

For additional details about Junior Achievement Americas’ impactful initiatives, please explore JA Americas.