Dozens of public school students got a firsthand look at operations at Crowley’s Isla Grande terminal last Friday, boarding one of its vessels as part of an initiative designed to introduce them to career opportunities in the maritime, logistics and supply chain industries.
The program, developed through a partnership between Crowley, Junior Achievement Americas and the Puerto Rico Department of Education, aims to connect young people with sectors that are essential to the island’s economy while helping them identify career paths that align with their interests, talents and skills.
“We believe in Puerto Rico’s talent,” said Noël Zemborain, president of Junior Achievement Americas, highlighting the organization’s commitment to education and community development.
Noel Zemborain, JAA president. CB photo by Emmanuel Vázquez.
According to Zemborain, the partnership seeks to open doors for students by exposing them to the wide range of professions needed to keep the maritime, logistics and supply chain industries running. She said Crowley plays an essential role in connecting Puerto Rico with the goods it needs, but noted that the continuity and growth of those operations also depend on investing in the people and communities that will shape the island’s economic future.
Since 2022, the Crowley and Junior Achievement Americas alliance has reached approximately 9,000 students, and in 2025 the company was awarded Company of the Year by Junior Achievement of Northeast Florida. Thanks to Crowley’s $40,000 sponsorship, the initiative will impact more than 350 students in Puerto Rico.
A Day at the Terminal
As part of the experience, students learned about terminal operations, participated in informational sessions and received guidance on areas including business development, logistics, safety, finance and supply chain management.
The day began with a “safety moment,” a standard Crowley practice in which each meeting and operation begins with an approximately one-minute reminder about the importance of safety. Organizers explained that designating time and space for prevention practices is embedded within the company’s culture and that it represents a central part of its operations.
The visit is intended to be a starting point for students to explore future academic and professional opportunities.
Students also had the opportunity to learn more about operations at the San Juan Port, which now operates more efficiently following the arrival of two new vessels, the Coquí and the Taíno, as part of Crowley’s multimillion-dollar investment in its Puerto Rico operations.
During the tour, students observed firsthand how goods arrive in Puerto Rico and how they are handled, learning about some of the roles necessary to ensure the continued flow of supplies to the island.
Partners Underscore Investment in Talent
Puerto Rico Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés said nearly 300 students are already actively working with educational modules associated with the program.
Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés. CB photo by Emmanuel Vázquez.
Ramos Parés also emphasized teachers’ ability to transform lives and the importance of recruiting organizations and companies that believe in the potential of a new generation.
“It’s about people coming together who believe that the next generation can do better than we did,” the secretary said.
The program provides hands-on experiences in areas including STEM, finance and career exploration, allowing students to connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world operations and workforce needs.
Beyond jobs directly related to operating vessels, the industry offers career opportunities in engineering, technology, mechanics, maintenance, administration, finance, human resources, logistics and operations management.
For Zemborain, these types of experiences can broaden students’ career aspirations by exposing them to professions they may not have previously known existed.
The students boarded a Crowley vessel as part of the experience. CB photo by Emmanuel Vázquez.
Junior Achievement’s Return and Long-Term Strategy
The event also marked Junior Achievement’s return to Puerto Rico. The organization works with schools, businesses and volunteers to provide education in workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy in more than 120 countries around the world.
Through the new partnership, Junior Achievement aims to strengthen its presence on the island and continue developing programs that allow young people to learn, grow and gain a better understanding of the economy and supply chains that sustain commercial activity.
Organizers said the terminal visit is not intended to be a one-day field trip, but rather a starting point for students to explore future academic and professional opportunities.
By giving students direct exposure to the operations of a maritime and logistics company, the initiative seeks to show them that the industry responsible for ensuring much of Puerto Rico’s supply of goods can also open the door to a world of career opportunities.
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