SENATIC Colombia: 199K+ Tech Certifications & Digital Skills for the Future

Barranquilla, Colombia – Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (MinTIC), the National Learning Service (SENA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will today showcase the progress of SENATIC – “Efecto Transformador” – a national initiative aimed at bolstering digital skills and closing the technology gap.

The event, to be held at the Pabellón de Cristal on the Gran Malecón del Río, will highlight the program’s impact on expanding access to technology training for young Colombians. To date, SENATIC has validated over 199,000 certifications in technological skills, a figure officials say represents a significant investment in the country’s human capital and its ability to compete in the digital economy.

More than 600 participants are expected to attend, including apprentices, representatives from the public and private sectors, academics, and social organizations involved in skills development. A key component of the event will be the recognition of students who completed their SENATIC training in 2025, alongside a welcome for a new cohort entering advanced training programs.

Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, Carina Murcia, is scheduled to speak, emphasizing the role of digital training in job creation and reducing inequality. Eduardo Verano de la Rosa, Governor of Atlántico, will also be present to reaffirm the region’s commitment to technological talent development.

A panel discussion, “Las TIC en el futuro del trabajo” (ICT in the Future of Work), moderated by Melva Díaz Better of the ILO, will explore how digital education can drive sustainable growth. The discussion will focus on the evolving demands of the labor market and the importance of equipping citizens with the skills needed to succeed.

SENATIC operates under three strategic lines: professional IT training – encompassing both articulation with technical secondary education and short courses – curriculum updates, and training of trainers. The latter has reportedly reached 1,000 instructors, extending the program’s reach into remote areas of Colombia, described as the “Colombia profunda.”

With over 20,000 apprentices already certified in technical training programs, SENATIC is positioned as a key enabler in Colombia’s ambition to become a digital ecosystem by 2035, where technology serves as a foundation for social well-being and national competitiveness. The program aims to train a total of 68,000 technicians in articulation with secondary education, representing the largest digital skills training initiative at the technical level in Colombia.

The initiative includes specialized training programs such as Technical Programming for Data Analytics, Application Programming for the Cloud, Mobile Device Application Programming, Systems, Digital Security Control, Software Programming, Computer Equipment Maintenance, and Digital Content Integration. It also encompasses training in Telecommunications and the implementation and maintenance of Internet of Things systems.

The event serves as a platform to reaffirm SENATIC’s contribution to human capital development, bridging the digital divide, and fostering a more inclusive and competitive digital economy in Colombia.