Tag: 3BL

The recent 2025 GPA Midstream Convention in San Antonio brought together over 1,800 professionals from across the gas processing and pipeline sector. From pipeline operators to process engineers, one message echoed through every session: health, safety, and environmental (HSE) excellence is the foundation of reliability, trust, and long-term performance.

This year’s event emphasized a new era in midstream safety management—one in which data, technology, and culture all work together to prevent incidents before they happen.

Data-Driven Safety and Reliability 

Operators are increasingly using API 754 process safety indicators to proactively track performance and guide operational decisions. By tracking near-misses and equipment reliability data, operators can identify risks early, plan the associated maintenance, and reduce unexpected downtime.

Predictive maintenance and condition-based monitoring are changing how companies manage asset integrity. These tools enable teams to detect early warning signs and take corrective action in advance, saving both costs and lives.

Collaboration across engineering, operations, and HSE teams is critical to success. This approach aligns safety and reliability objectives across an organization and helps eliminate operational silos.

Regulatory Collaboration and PHMSA Engagement 

Regulatory engagement and collaboration were a primary focus of the convention and aimed at enacting changes which will endure beyond the Trump administration. Representatives from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) emphasized reducing variability linked to geography or experience, as well as the growing importance of proactive safety management in preventing incidents and improving safety performance.

New rulemaking efforts are underway to better reflect current industry best practices and improve transparency and fairness. Changes to the Civil Penalty Worksheet enforcement and due-process framework signal an intentional improvement in information sharing and collaboration.

Environmental Excellence: From Compliance to Continuous Improvement 

Discussions at the convention highlighted the shift from periodic compliance to continuous improvement. What were once trial or short-term programs are now becoming standard practice as companies adopt these core programs:

• Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
• Continuous emissions monitoring
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement and tracking

The GPA Midstream GHG Measurement & Abatement Committee, for instance, continues to explore best practices for emissions measurement in anticipation of establishing common frameworks for methane intensity measurement and reporting.

This forward-thinking strategy reinforces consistency across the industry and underscores that environmental responsibility is an integral part of operational success.

Modernizing Aging Infrastructure 

Aging infrastructure continues to be one of the industry’s most pressing challenges. With pipelines and facility assets that have been in service for decades, operators are applying risk-based inspection (RBI) programs to balance asset integrity, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency.

People Power: Sustaining a Strong Safety Culture 

Despite increasing reliance on data and automation, people are still the key to HSE performance. The midstream sector faces an aging workforce, and valuable experience is being lost as people retire. To combat this, companies are taking proactive steps to reduce the loss of institutional expertise and develop a new generation of leaders. Examples include:

• Developing mentorship programs that enable experienced workers to teach others
• Leveraging digital and simulation-based safety training
• Encouraging open communication and visible (and engaged) leadership to foster trust

Creating a strong safety culture means giving everyone the power to engage and speak up, to share what they learn, and keep improving.

The Bottom Line: Safety as a Strategic Advantage 

The 2025 GPA Midstream Convention made it clear: HSE excellence isn’t just about compliance; it’s about continuous improvement that creates a competitive advantage.

Companies that invest in their people, technology, and continue to encourage collaboration between HSE, engineering, and operations will set the standard in an era of higher expectations for safety, sustainability, and transparency.

Reach out to our experts to learn how we can help you stay ahead of evolving industry standards. 

Niko Kotsaftis, Energy & Sustainability Program Manager at MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, was recognized with the “Future Leader Award” during the World Sustainability Awards 2025, recognizing his exceptional contributions to operational sustainability.

As the driving force behind the company’s €125 million EDISON water and energy efficiency program, Kotsaftis has demonstrated remarkable leadership in further embedding sustainability across the company’s global life science operations. Under his guidance, the program has achieved extraordinary results, completing 164 projects that collectively avoid 23,000 metric tons of CO₂ equivalents emissions, save 153,000 MWh of energy, and reduce water consumption by 400,000 cubic meters.

The World Sustainability Awards judges specifically commended Kotsaftis for his “impressive impact and ability to influence stakeholders”. His work directly supports the company’s Scope 1 & 2 emissions goal, which targets a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 compared to the 2020 baseline. As of 2024, the life science business has achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 compared to 2020, despite 19% business growth.

“Making an impact in sustainability isn’t only about managing projects,” said Kotsaftis. “It’s also about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of continuous improvement to drive lasting change. I’m grateful to the judging committee for this recognition.”

The EDISON initiative represents one of four key levers in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s comprehensive approach to emissions reduction, focusing on high-impact energy and water conservation projects across manufacturing sites worldwide. Kotsaftis’s leadership exemplifies how individual champions can drive meaningful change in corporate sustainability efforts.

To see other World Sustainability Award winners, view their press release here. For more information on MilliporeSigma’s sustainability strategy and programs, visit SigmaAldrich.com/sustainability

ATLANTA, October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Georgia Power announced that it has started construction on a new 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Twiggs County, southeast of Macon, Ga. The project was selected through competitive processes resulting from the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update and was approved for construction by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on Sept. 4, 2025. The Twiggs BESS is a company-owned project that is adjacent to the existing Twiggs County Solar facility.

The 200 MW system is designed to quickly dispatch stored energy over a four-hour period. BESS projects support the overall reliability and resilience of the electric system, while also enhancing the value of intermittent renewable generation resources, such as solar. Storage systems can improve the efficiency of renewable energy by storing excess energy produced during periods when the demand for electricity is lower, for use when the demand is higher, such as on cold winter mornings when solar is unavailable. These BESS facilities help to address power needs identified in the 2023 IRP Update in a cost-effective and strategic manner.

“At Georgia Power, our collaboration with the Georgia PSC and other stakeholders is key to making necessary investments for a reliable and resilient power grid,” said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. “With the construction of the 200 MW BESS in Twiggs County, we will be able to better serve our existing customers and support Georgia’s growth. As we expand our energy mix to include more renewable sources, these batteries will play an invaluable role in helping to ensure reliability and flexibility, particularly when renewable sources are not available.”

The Twiggs BESS, constructed by Crowder Industrial Construction, LLC, is projected for completion in 2027.

In addition to the Twiggs location, construction is underway on four BESS facilities, consisting of 765 MW in locations throughout the state with estimated completion dates in 2026. These projects, located in Bibb, Cherokee, Floyd, and Lowndes counties, were also approved in the 2023 IRP Update.

Additional BESS Resources Planned and Proposed

As a part of an All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP), Georgia Power is currently seeking approval from the Georgia PSC of 10 new BESS facilities with a total capacity of 3,022.5 MW and two new state-of-the-art solar systems paired with BESS totaling 350 MW. Site selection for the systems was based on deployment capabilities, including the opportunity to locate additional resources at existing company plant sites, other company-owned land, and sites near existing substations.

Georgia Power is also seeking bids for an additional 500 MW of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) with a storage discharge duration of a minimum of two-hours. The RFP, administered by independent evaluator Ascend Analytics on behalf of Georgia Power, will solicit:

• Standalone ESS with grid charging capability; and
• ESS with Renewable Resource (new or existing) and grid charging capability

The procurement target capacity is 500 MW with a preference to be online no later than 2031. Bids are due for qualified projects in early 2026.

To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, and the IRP process, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning future BESS facilities and projected completion dates for construction projects. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: variations in demand for electricity; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction, and operation of facilities or other projects; global and U.S. economic conditions, including impacts from geopolitical conflicts, recession, inflation, changes in trade policies (including tariffs and other trade measures) of the United States and other countries, interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions, and the results of financing efforts; and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

SOURCE Georgia Power

For further information: Georgia Power Media Relations, (404) 506-7676 or (800) 282-1696, www.georgiapower.com

October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – Companies across the United States expanded their workplace giving programs in 2025 to strengthen employee engagement and community impact. As corporate social responsibility becomes a central business focus, organizations are investing in matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs that empower employees to give back to causes they care about.

Corporate Giving Continues to Grow

According to data from the Giving USA Report, corporate philanthropy exceeded $44 billion in 2024, a 9% year-over-year increase. This surge highlights a powerful shift toward purpose-driven business practices where employees and companies collaborate to support nonprofits nationwide. With innovative developments in corporate giving programs in 2025, experts are optimistic that this will be another strong year for corporate philanthropy.

Leading Companies Champion Workplace Giving

In 2025, many large corporations are going beyond traditional donations to create inclusive, engaging, and scalable giving experiences:

• C.H. Robinson strengthened its commitment to community engagement in 2025 through its “Robinson Cares” employee giving program. The initiative empowers team members to support nonprofits, awarding $400,000 in grants to organizations championed by its workforce. This program demonstrates how industry leaders can integrate philanthropic efforts into a unified strategy that amplifies employee engagement and community impact.
   
• The Walt Disney Company continues to strengthen its focus on employee engagement and community impact through a variety of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism programs. Disney’s Disney VoluntEARS program, one of the longest-running corporate volunteer initiatives in the world, encourages employees to donate their time to community organizations while earning matching grants for eligible nonprofits. In recent years, Disney employees have contributed millions of volunteer hours globally, supporting causes such as education, conservation, and youth development. These efforts showcase how major corporations can integrate volunteerism, workplace giving, and employee engagement into their core company culture.
   
• Microsoft continues to operate one of the most recognized employee giving programs in the world. Each year, Microsoft matches employee donations dollar for dollar and rewards volunteer hours with additional corporate funds. Since its program began, Microsoft employees have donated over $2 billion to nonprofits worldwide, proving that sustained workplace giving programs can scale impact across decades.
   
• In July 2025, Principal Financial Group announced it had surpassed its global volunteer goal of 145,000 hours, marking roughly 157,657 volunteer hours served across more than 4,100 nonprofits worldwide. This is a 50% increase over the prior year. This kind of scale shows how corporate volunteer programs can become a major flagship element of social responsibility and workplace giving programs.

These examples show that corporate giving and employee engagement go hand in hand. Companies that prioritize workplace giving report higher retention rates, stronger morale, and a more purpose-driven culture.

Why Workplace Giving Matters for Nonprofits

For nonprofits and schools, workplace giving programs represent a major opportunity for consistent and sustainable funding. When corporations promote matching gift programs, volunteer grants, and payroll giving options, nonprofits receive steady support that fuels their missions year-round.

Despite this potential, many nonprofits still lack the tools to identify eligible donors and track available programs, leaving millions of corporate dollars unclaimed each year.

How Double the Donation Helps Nonprofits Capture More Corporate Giving

Double the Donation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the leading provider of workplace giving software that helps nonprofits and educational institutions connect with corporate philanthropy. Its platform automates key fundraising processes so organizations can:

• Identify donors eligible for matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs.
   
• Simplify the process of linking employee donations to their employer’s corporate giving options.
   
• Increase revenue through automatic matching gift identification and real-time employer data.
   
• Strengthen donor relationships by making workplace giving easy and accessible.

With Double the Donation’s new platform features, including Volunteer Grant and Payroll Giving Modules, nonprofits can take advantage of workplace giving opportunities in 2025 and beyond.

About Double the Donation

Double the Donation is the leading provider of matching gift and workplace giving automation software for nonprofits and educational institutions. The company’s tools help organizations raise more by identifying and engaging supporters eligible for corporate giving programs.

To learn more, visit doublethedonation.com.

Bri Nunley is a leader on and off the soccer field. As a Division I collegiate athlete at Arizona State University (ASU), she brings determination to every game. Off the field, Bri channels that same strength into uplifting her community – serving as current president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; former president of EmpowHER, an ASU student-athlete organization empowering individuals to find their voice, build allies, and inspire the next generation through women in sports; and a personal trainer committed to mentorship.

Now, through ASU’s Student-Athlete Venture Studio in collaboration with GoDaddy Empower, Bri is learning to channel her leadership into entrepreneurship. With GoDaddy Airo®, she’s building her personal brand, creating a digital hub that reflects both her athletic career and her drive to empower others.

This collaboration between GoDaddy Empower and ASU supports student-athletes by giving them tools to maximize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights; tell their story their way; and lay the foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures.

Ready to build your future? Get a .com for only $4.99 for your first year — includes Airo — at studentathlete.godaddy.

Watch Bri’s story here.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

GoDaddy Empower Spotlight Series

By partnering with diverse community organizations, schools, and education institutions, GoDaddy Empower helps emerging entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds build and grow their businesses online with free digital tools, training, and community. This article is part of the GoDaddy Empower spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible. 

PORTLAND, Ore., October 23, 2025 /3BL/ – The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) today announced the release of the Circular Electronics Design Guide Addendum 2025: Navigating the Corporate-to-Product Divide in Circular Design Performance. Developed in collaboration with Accenture, this addendum builds on the Circular Electronics Design Guide (CEDG) published last year, offering a practical roadmap to help companies translate their circularity ambitions into measurable product-level action.

While the 2024 CEDG provided an industry-defining blueprint for circular innovation — spanning “Enable, Frame, Plan, and Implement” phases — the 2025 Addendum tackles one of the most persistent barriers in the electronics industry: the disconnect between high-level corporate goals and on-the-ground design execution.

“Strategic intent too often falters at the point of translation into practice,” said Teun van Wetten, Industrial Design Director at Accenture. “This addendum is the bridge — a unified Circular Performance Framework that links boardroom ambition to offer circular electronics with engineering reality.”

Where the Circular Electronics Design Guide mapped the full circular innovation process, the new Addendum complements the original guide by zeroing in on two critical enablers: FRAME and ENABLE. Together, they show how organizational vision, data systems, and AI-powered tools can work together to drive measurable circular performance.

Additionally, the Addendum introduces a Circular Performance Framework that unites corporate, operational, and design-level systems. It also explores how product lifecycle data, agentic AI, and digital twins can help organizations simulate, validate, and scale circular design decisions — closing the “language gap” between sustainability leaders, engineers, and operations managers.

By connecting frameworks such as CEIC’s corporate indicators with EN 4555X product standards, the Addendum provides a new methodology for evidence-based circularity. Case studies from CEP Member Companies and Partners illustrate how companies are experimenting with different ways to align financial, material, and mission-driven metrics.

“This work strengthens the connective tissue of the circular economy,” said Dan Reid, Head of Secretariat for the Circular Electronics Partnership. “The Design Guide gave us the architecture; this Addendum gives us the wiring — the systems, data, and decision loops that make circular performance real.”

 

About the Circular Electronics Partnership

The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) is a global community leading the transition to a circular economy in the electronics industry. Since its inception in 2021, CEP has brought together six founding partners and over 35 leading tech companies, all working together to transform the sector.

CEP fosters cohesion and drives collective action for greater impact. Serving as a coordination platform, CEP facilitates effective collaboration across the entire electronics value chain. It leverages the strengths of each founding partner, connects existing initiatives, and aligns the sector around a shared vision and roadmap to overcome the barriers to a circular electronics industry by 2030.

 

Erik Fessler 

Senior Manager, Global Communications

Global Electronics Council

efessler@gec.org

 

Daniel Reid 

Head of Secretariat

Circular Electronics Partnership

dreid@gec.org

Originally published on Food Dive

Choosing the right package for a product can also support a brand’s environmental goals. For example, did you know that food loss and food waste are responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions? 
“We’re at a point where consumers are counting on brands to make the right choices,” says Babitha George, packaging portfolio manager for Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. “Choosing recyclable packaging that has been purposefully designed to extend shelf life shows you recognize the impact your choices make on consumers — and the planet.”

Click here to read more on Food Dive

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

If you don’t know the acronym PAAS, it stands for “product as a service”. It’s a model based on how a product is used and not just its physical ownership. For businesses, this calls for new business models and longer-term thinking. And the world of construction is gradually starting to adopt a similar approach!

Listen here, P…for PAAS, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Las Vegas Sands

The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted more than 300 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and parents for the annual College Readiness Bootcamp Sept. 13 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV). With underwriting from Sands Cares, the event equipped families with the tools they need to pursue higher education.

The boot camp presented insights and advice from 15 speakers on topics including standardized tests, financial aid and scholarships, college life skills, and career opportunities in fields such as technology, culinary arts and health.

Michael Busuamlak, father of a high school student, shared that the event provided valuable insights for a busy parent like himself to better understand the college process and what to expect for his daughter before making any decisions.

The 2025 program included representatives from Clark County School District; UNLV; University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State University; College of Southern Nevada; the College Board, which administers SAT and Advanced Placement tests; tutoring organizations and leading Nevada employers, such as The Raiders Foundation. The event also provided hands-on support for applying to in-state and out-of-state schools and for financial aid and scholarships, with separate sessions targeted to parents and students.

“The boot camp is one of our most important youth development events, and we’ve seen attendance grow every year since its inception in 2015,” Vida Lin, president and founder of ACDC, said. “Many students will be first-generation college attendees, so our program is critical in helping families navigate this complex system and providing confidence that a spectrum of resources – from application preparation and academic requirements to financial support – exists.”

This year, ACDC also will introduce a Trade School Bootcamp – a new program to assist youth interested in pursuing vocational paths with career track information and guidance on pursuing skill sets in their chosen fields. This program is also being supported through Sands Cares in 2025.

Sands’ support for ACDC’s youth development programs addresses the company’s priorities on education and building a diverse workforce of the future. To learn more about the Sands Cares community engagement program, visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility.

To learn more about the Asian Community Development Council, visit https://acdcnv.org/.

Among the many treasures of this beautiful land that I also call home, there is a Greek word that resonates deeply with me: Philoxenia (Φιλοξενία). It’s often translated simply as hospitality, but it encompasses so much more than that. Philoxenia, literally “love of strangers,” embodies a profound, unconditional generosity – offering food, shelter, and comfort to anyone, without expectation of anything in return. It embodies a spirit of genuine warmth, open-hearted connection, and a deep respect for every individual. 

This was precisely the atmosphere I envisioned, and indeed felt, permeating our Europe Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference in Thessaloniki this past week. This annual conference brings together Cisco Networking Academy teachers, government leaders, and public/private sector collaborators from across the region to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to anticipate even greater successes ahead. 

My hope, as Senior Regional Manager for Cisco Networking Academy in Europe, was to foster an environment where every participant, whether a long-standing partner or a new face, felt not just welcomed, but truly valued, heard, and an integral part of our shared mission. It was an inspiring gathering, a true testament to our collective commitment to shaping the future of technology education across Europe. 

The Imperative for Our Future Workforce

The main theme of this year’s program was, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are living through a profound technological revolution that stands to shape not only the world of work and education, but society itself. The compelling 2025 report from the AI Workforce Consortium, proudly led by Cisco, clearly articulates the urgent need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating, innovating, and leading within this new paradigm.

At Cisco, we don’t just understand this imperative; we embrace it. Through our Cisco Networking Academy program, we are  creating new AI literacy and practical skills courses to enrich curricula throughout the region, and crucially, to allow any European to take their digital future into their own hands. My personal commitment, and that of my team, is to ensure we are providing our learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. This isn’t just about understanding algorithms; it’s about fostering critical thinking, advanced problem-solving, and crucial ethical considerations – skills that are paramount for the future. And, just as importantly, we are making this increasingly inclusive by translating our curriculum into 12 European languages, because learning must be accessible to all. 

Local Impact, Global Reach: A Thessaloniki Success Story

One of the most gratifying moments of the conference was witnessing the tangible impact of our work through a compelling Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) use case right here in Thessaloniki. CDA helps to power digital transformation around the world through partnerships across government, academia, industry, and more.  

We proudly showcased an innovative project developed in collaboration with the American Farm School. This initiative illustrates how our technology can be applied to solve real-world challenges across industries, including within the vital and so often under supported sector of agriculture. These strategic alliances are not just partnerships; they are living proof of the power how collaboration and creative thinking can transform technology into a source of deep transformation. It’s a testament to how local innovation, nurtured by dedicated partners, can contribute significantly to global progress. 

Celebrating Excellence: Our Valued Partners

No conference would be complete without recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our partners, and we had the immense pleasure of awarding several Cisco Networking Academy partners for their exceptional achievements throughout the year. “Be the Bridge” Award has been awarded to two exceptional partners, the Open University (UK) and PUE (Spain) while, our “Golden Bridge” Award went to Specialisterne, a globally-recognized social enterprise based in Italy dedicated to enabling employment for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism. These learners, by leveraging their unique talent and skills, are then matched with jobs that perfectly suit their strengths. 

By seamlessly integrating Cisco Networking Academy into its modular, free training programs, Specialisterne Italia has profoundly enhanced its curriculum with industry-recognized content in networking and cybersecurity. Started in September 2022, this powerful partnership has already enabled 150 students to gain both theoretical knowledge and invaluable practical skills, aligned with certifications like CCNA. This has led to 50 of those individuals earning a full-time job opportunity. It’s a brilliant example of how our partnerships can help build more inclusive pathways to success. 

Strengthening our Communities to Power an Inclusive Future for All

As I reflect on the insightful discussions, the shared vision, and the renewed sense of purpose from our time in Thessaloniki, I am more confident than ever in Cisco Networking Academy’s profound ability to prepare our students for the future. Together, we are not just teaching technology; we are building crucial bridges to opportunity, fostering innovation, and creating a truly skilled, inclusive, and resilient global workforce — with our own philoxenia that has distinguished this program since 1997.  

View original content here.