2015 Rhode Island and New England Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year

Oscar Mejias and Hernan Padilla, CEO and Executive Director of HiTEP

Oscar Mejias and Hernan Padilla, CEO and Executive Director of HiTEP

Oscar Mejias founded the Hispanic Technology and Education Program (HiTEP) in 2006 because he saw the need to bring enhanced computer skills to those within the community. When the economic crisis hit in 2007, the demand for Mejias’ services increased exponentially. Knowing that a lack of training in technology was making it more difficult for Hispanics to find employment, Oscar set out to help them better understand and use technological advances such as the internet and social media.

At the onset, Oscar and his wife, Emilia, provided all of the training. However, they quickly realized he needed to expand to keep up with the demand for services. That’s when Mejias decided to bring on Hernan Padilla, an expert in business development, to head up HiTEP’s operations. With Padilla onboard, HiTEP’s expansion was rapid. In 2011, the company became licensed as a full training facility with the Rhode Island Department of Health to train new Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), and is now the second largest provider of adult education services for various Rhode Island state agencies.

Serving a broad range of Rhode Islanders from various backgrounds, HiTEP has become a high functioning vocational preparatory training school serving the fields of nursing, customer services, computer/digital skills, ESL, and job development skills. With many of its students testing well above state averages, Mejias and Padilla have seen hundreds of their students get good jobs and improve their quality of life.

Now with two facilities in Providence and Pawtucket, and a staff of 16, HiTEP continues to grow. Both Mejias and Padilla know their work is far from done. With their goal of continuing to create programs that are consistent with the needs of Rhode Island’s adult learning community, HiTEP will continue to provide students with opportunities to enhance their technical skills and ensure a better quality of life.

For their demonstrated success and potential for growth as a minority-owned small business, the U.S. Small Business Administration is pleased to honor Oscar Mejias and Hernan Padilla, CEO and Executive Director of HiTEP in Providence, as the 2015 Rhode Island and New England Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year.

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Avatar About the Author: The Rhode Island Small Business Journal is a printed monthly magazine and an online resource for the aspiring and start-up entrepreneur and small business owner.

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