PRESS RELEASE: Cisco Networking Academy Recognizes IYF as a Premier+ Partner for Its Impact on Digital Education in Mexico
Mexico City, March 11, 2025 – The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is proud to announce its recognition as a Premier+ Networking Academy Partner by the Cisco Networking Academy, a distinction granted to only 5% of its strategic partners worldwide. This recognition highlights IYF’s commitment to digital education and its impact on developing tech talent in Mexico.
“This recognition is a testament to IYF’s unwavering dedication to training young people and building a stronger digital ecosystem in Mexico. At Cisco Networking Academy, we greatly value their commitment to excellence and innovation in education. Congratulations on this achievement and for driving the country’s digital transformation,” said Federico Ortiz, Manager of Cisco Networking Academy in Mexico.
Since 2016, IYF’s partnership with Cisco Networking Academy has played a key role in bridging the digital skills gap in Mexico. Through 10 targeted programs, IYF has trained more than 24,000 students across 93 campuses in 16 states, while also supporting 399 instructors with industry-aligned training. As a result, over 67% of program graduates have secured jobs in the tech sector.
“This recognition fuels our commitment to expanding educational programs that prepare young people for an ever-evolving job market. Digital skills don’t just open doors—they drive innovation and strengthen Mexico’s competitiveness in the global tech industry,” said Alberto Peniche, IYF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The success of this initiative is made possible through strong collaborations with partners including JP Morgan Chase, Bécalos, Promotora Social México, Nacional Monte de Piedad, Caterpillar Foundation, Fundación Coppel, Fomento Social Citibanamex, and Accenture. These partnerships have integrated IT training into key institutions such as Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica (CONALEP) and Colegio de Bachilleres (COBACH).
Through these collective efforts, state-of-the-art Cisco academies have been launched, students have earned industry-recognized certifications, and targeted strategies have been developed to increase female participation in the tech sector.
The IYF-Cisco Networking Academy partnership has laid a strong foundation for replicating this model across other regions, contributing to a more inclusive digital economy. By investing in young talent, we’re not only expanding career opportunities but also driving Mexico’s tech sector forward.
For media inquiries, please contact: Jania Argüelles, Communications Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.
About IYF
The International Youth Foundation® (IYF®) stands by, for, and with young people. Founded in 1990 through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IYF is a global nonprofit with programs directly benefiting 8.1 million young people and operations spanning over 105 countries. Together with local community-based organizations and a network of corporate, foundation, and multilateral partners, we connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives. We believe that educated, employed, engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems, and we focus our youth development efforts on three linked objectives: unlocking agency, driving economic opportunity, and making systems more inclusive. Our vision is to see young people inspired and equipped to realize the future they want. The International Youth Foundation: Transforming Lives, Together. To learn more about the International Youth Foundation, please join us at iyfglobal.org
About Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco Networking Academy is one of the longest-standing IT skills-to-jobs programs in the world. We provide inclusive access to quality education through our learning platform, designed to enable instructor-led, self-paced, and hybrid learning at scale. We’re proud to have reached over 24 million learners in 191 countries around the world who have participated in Cisco Networking Academy courses since 1997 either directly through our learning platform or through one of our academies.
