The communication and technology sector predicts that for the next two years it will hire more technical staff and university graduates than licensed professionals with master's degrees or doctorates.
The need for staff with technical rather than academic skills continues to grow in the field of technology and communications. A study by the Chamber of Information Technology and Communication concludes that only 2% of companies in the technology sector in the country plan to hire professionals with a PhD, while only 32% said they expected to hire graduates.
The special tax regime for multinationals which have an established site in Panama remains the main factor, while the low supply of trained personnel has been identified as a serious problem.
In addition to tax incentives offered to companies that set up offices, there are also special areas such as Panama Pacific and the Colon Free Zone, whose special schemes offer other incentives for companies to set up there.
The difficulties faced by companies in hiring high-profile executives are driving growth in the recruitment market in the country.
With the advent of more multinational companies in the sectors of logistics, banking and insurance, there is growing demand for qualified personnel to fill positions of managers, vice presidents or directors.
There has been a rise in the number of firms reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified staff, especially technicians, engineers and sales managers.
In one year the number of companies who said they found it difficult to fill vacancies grew by 11%, according to figures from a survey carried out by the human resources firm Manpower, which states that "...
APAC Customer Services has announced it will increase its workforce in Panama with the hiring of 100 more employees for its four centers operating in the country.
The company hopes to fill 100 vacant posts before 17 March with customer service representatives who can speak fluent English and Spanish.
APAC Customer Services began operations in Panama in 2006 with 500 employees and currently operates four call centers with over 2,000 employees.
The demand for professionals who can speak and write English rose by 70%, keeping pace with the growth of joint ventures with overseas companies.
That was the explanation given Bessy Rocio Lara, director of the Department of Labor. Among the areas where the most bilingual staff are needed are the industrial engineering sector, business administration and some technical careers.
When vacancies arise companies fill them paying the new employee less than before, and give them even more demanding requirements.
A Manpower study outlined in an article in Prensalibre.com notes that in Guatemala "requirements are increased when new staff are hired, however the wages offered are not in line with the international market.
For example, one company had a manager with a profile matching a salary of up to $3,138, this person resigned and his place was taken by a underling who had a salary of $1,255 and who, after the change in position, was offered $1,632. This person got a better opportunity and resigned, shortly after which the company attempted to hire a new manager with the requirements of the first but with the salary of the second.
Most employers in Costa Rica say the first thing they evaluate when choosing job candidates is experience.
56% of Costa Rican businessmen believe that experience is the most important when hiring new staff.
This was revealed by the Third Quarterly Survey on Business "Business Pulse" by the Union of Chambers of Private Enterprises (Uccaep), in which 492 entrepreneurs took part.
Panamanian employers predict that in the last four months of 2013 the trend for employment in manufacturing will be 40%.
According to a survey by Manpower, in second place is the service sector, as this area has a steady rhythm for hiring, with a trend of 37%.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "on the other hand, employers forecast an upbeat hiring pace both for trade in agriculture, fishing, mining and extraction with a trend of 20% and 17% respectively ".
Tour operators do not have sufficient numbers of personnel who are trained as tourist guides tourists, nor is there an official organization to certify them.
Tourism businesses believe it is of the utmost importance that they have informed and personable tourist guides, as in the end they are the people who spend the most time with tourists.
Enrique Pesantez explains in his article in Prensa.com that "...
Facing a lack of specialized technicians, representatives from private companies are motivating students to train in technical careers and foster the development of new specialties.
Given the need for technical personnel in the province of Alajuela, businesses from the free zone area El Coyol, held a meeting with senior students encouraging them to train in the technical specialties necessary for the productive sector.
Reports of an agreement with the Honduran government over the admission of 4,000 construction workers from the country has been denied in Panama.
Alma Cortez, Minister of Labour and Labour Development of Panama (MITRADEL), denied the signing of an agreement for 4,000 Honduran construction workers being allowed to work on projects such as the Canal expansion.
An agreement is being worked on between the Ministries of Labor in Honduras and in Panama so that around four thousand specialist construction workers can work in the canal country.
Once the agreement has been made firm, Honduran construction laborers (project managers, carpenters, joiners, etc..) will be able to work on the widening of the Panama Canal.
The Net Employment Outlook for the first three months of 2012 is +24%, putting more pressure on a market with a serious shortage of qualified human resources.
While efforts are being made to the train people locally, foreigners continue to come into the country to meet the demand of international companies based there.
Eric Quesada, Regional Director for Manpower, said: "Today there are significant challenges for companies to find staff, specially skilled staff. The foreign population is constantly increasing, as people come to fill the positions that are not being covered locally. "