The greater interest in studying social sciences and the lesser inclination for training in technical or scientific areas may be partly because of the preference of professionals for employment in a government institution rather than in the private sector.
According to data from the National Council of Rectors (Conare), between 2006 and 2016, in Costa Rica the careers in the area of Social Sciences registered the highest growth according to the proportion of graduates, going from 36.2% to 45.5% of the total number of students.
Among the professionals most required by companies in Guatemala, but the most difficult to find, are computer technicians, engineers in mining and construction, and professionals with doctorates in coffee and other agricultural products.
The study entitled "Talent Gaps 2017", prepared by the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa), details that the academic profile required by employers can be summarized by the fact that 65% of companies need staff with qualifications, 68% of employees with a technical level, and 75% of companies require professionals with a bachelor's degree.
Between 300 thousand and 500 thousand professionals in different areas are estimated to be needed in order to cover the jobs that could be generated in the next ten years.
Panama's economic growth potential can not be fully developed if the necessary conditions are not developed, one of which is the quality of the labor supply.
42,000 is the number of estimated positions for professionals and technicians that will become available with the start of major projects such as the construction of the gas terminal in Colon, the fourth bridge over the Canal and the second Metro line.
Statistics from the Ministry of Labour and Development indicate that the largest proportion of the jobs required correspond to technical and unskilled workers, and to a lesser extent, professionals.
Nicaraguan companies are having difficulty finding employees who are 24 years old or younger with the required socio-emotional and academic skills.
From the executive summary of a document entitled "Skills required by companies in Nicaragua" prepared by Funides:
Studies have been done at the international level that have found no relationship between years of education and economic growth, which has led to the discussion turning from schooling to the quality of education as a key element for economic growth.
In Costa Rica most college students crave "fixed and stable jobs" in state enterprises.
EDITORIAL
The words "fixed" and "stable" are not exactly what you would expect to hear from young twentysomethings, supposedly eager for challenges, opportunities and adventures.However, in Costa Rica, a survey carried out by Universum indicates that most college students are looking for a job for life in a state institution.
For every ten professionals in demand by private companies in Costa Rica between 2014 and 2016, 7 were computer and software engineers.
The growing demand for professionals in careers related to engineering, especially in the area of computing and software development, contrasts increasingly with the demand for professionals in other disciplines, such as social work, which are losing ground as the use of information technologies advances.
Sales, operations and production are the areas in which Guatemalan entrepreneurs face the most difficulties in recruiting staff with the necessary skills.
Leadership, the ability to make decisions and to identify and solve problems are the skills most required by companies in Guatemala, and the most difficult ones to find when hiring staff.
Companies are struggling to find employees with skills in information technology, programming and networking, electricity, processing and assembly of medical parts.
The Talent Shortage study (2014) by Manpower notes that "... 51% of the 620 Costa Rican employers surveyed said they can not find suitable professionals to perform the tasks required by their company." The main cause, according to the contractors, is lack of technical skills.
The emigration of six out of seven Salvadorans who have studied for 12 years or more is removing a vital resource for economic performance, preventing improvements to labor productivity in the country.
Up until 2000, 85% of high school and college graduates with twelve or more years of education had migrated, reveals the study 'Measuring the international mobility of skilled workers'.
"... Some of the professions reserved for national citizens are chemical engineering and petrochemicals, careers which are not offered by any university in Panama. "
EDITORIAL
Acting as a backdrop to the contradiction between migrant's human right to work and the need to reserve jobs for nationals, is the upkeep of competitiveness and economic development of each country.
Salvadoran firms require skilled labor, engineers and bilingual accounting professionals.
Marco Penado, general manager of Manpower El Salvador, said that human resources in need by businesses do not match with what the universities are producing.
Within the 10 most requested jobs there are:
- Skilled labor (carpenters, welders, electricians)
- Sales Agents