Changing the model of progress by betting on more complex and higher value-added activities, without restricting the entry of qualified foreign labor, is part of what the Panamanian business sector proposes to boost long-term economic growth.
In a statement, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) reflects on the need to make significant adjustments in the country's productive matrix to achieve long-term sustainable economic development.
35% of companies in Panama reported having difficulties filling job positions, mainly intermediate positions with a high level of training required.
According to the Talent Shortage Survey 2018, prepared by ManpowerGroup, the most difficult positions to cover are technicians, sales representatives, office support staff, accountants and financiers, heavy equipment drivers, computer support, engineers, chemists, customer service, lawyers, project managers, researchers, electricians, mechanics and welders.
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.
In Panama four out of ten companies failed to find the ideal candidates when they needed them.
Data from Manpower reveals that worldwide the talent shortage is around 40%, in Colombia it is 50% and in Panama 36%.Monica Flores, president of the group for the region, said that"... 'we have overvalued degrees and university titles, when what is needed today are professionals and specialised technicians'."
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.
Projections are that for the five year period between 2015-2020 there will be a shortfall of 70,000 workers in the sectors of construction, logistics, tourism and agriculture.
According to the National Competitiveness Center, in the specified period there will be a shortage of workers especially in the logistics sector, where they will need at least 35,000 technicians, ie 49.5%, while in the construction area demand will be for around 28,000 people, representing 40.3%. In the case of the tourism sector it is estimated that it will require approximately 4,113 technicians, ie 5.7% and in agriculture about 3,203, the remaining 4.5%.
There is an insufficient number of professionals in this health area to meet growing demand, both in public and in private sectors.
The Ministry of Health currently has 494 nutritionists, however it needs 500 more to meet demand in public health facilities and provide adequate care to the population.
Yeny Carrasco, nutritionist and dietitian at the Promotional Health Department, told Panamaamerica.com.pa that "... At present there is a highly competitive market on the side of private enterprise, where nutritionists and dietitians are valued professionals with good job prospects. "
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.
Companies recognize how important managing a growing international and mobile workforce is for the future of their businesses, but they do not know how to do it.
Companies do not have an appropriate strategy to deal with the transformation that is happening the way of working in the world -from the convergence of five generations to operations spread across the planet- which will lead to a crisis in management, attraction and retention of talent, concludes the Workforce 2020 study, prepared by Oxford Economics and SAP.
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 "... five out of 10 employers looking for talent have had difficulties filling vacancies in 2014. "
Government investment in infrastructure for information and communication technology lays the foundation for growth in the sector.
A study by Oxford Business Group has analyzed the impact that public investment has had on the sector of information and communication technologies, prompting the arrival of international companies who want to exploit the potential of the sector but encounter barriers, such as a shortage of skilled labor.
The speed with which the Panamanian economy is developing is demanding skilled labour which, at the moment, the country is unable to supply.
The lack of qualified people in the areas of technology, software development and telecommunications is one of the challenges facing Panama as a consequence of its economic growth.
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