The Procigar and the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training (INFOTEP) have certified the first 127 graduates of the Tamboril Tobacco School, marking a milestone for an initiative created to develop skilled workers for the Dominican Republic’s premium cigar industry.
According to the organizations, 72 graduates have already secured employment with companies in the tobacco sector, while approximately 20 percent of the remaining graduates are expected to begin work in the near future. The program was established to strengthen the pipeline of qualified workers for one of the Dominican Republic’s leading export industries.
The graduation ceremony was attended by INFOTEP Deputy Director General Luis Manuel Rodríguez, representing Director General Maira Morla Pineda; Procigar President Ciro Cascella; former Procigar President Litto Gómez; Procigar Executive Director Agustín Fernández; Dominican Tobacco Institute (INTABACO) Director Iván Hernández; and representatives from government and the tobacco industry.
INFOTEP said graduates completed training in premium handmade cigar manufacturing, tobacco crop pest management, customer service, personal development, and conflict management. The organization noted that several Dominican cigar manufacturers, including La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, and Davidoff, have already hired graduates from the program.
Procigar President Ciro Cascella said the initiative is intended to support the long-term development of the Dominican premium cigar industry by preparing the next generation of skilled cigar makers. Former Procigar President Litto Gómez also encouraged graduates to approach their work with pride, emphasizing the role Dominican cigars play in the country’s international reputation.
The Tamboril Tobacco School opened in January 2026 through a partnership between Procigar and INFOTEP. The organizations also announced plans to expand the school’s curriculum with a new Handmade Cigar Manufacturing Operations program, along with additional coursework in emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and gender-based violence prevention.
According to Procigar, the Dominican tobacco industry includes approximately 75 cigar factories, supports more than 122,000 direct jobs, and generates more than $1.34 billion in annual exports. Tamboril remains one of the country’s principal centers for premium cigar production.