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.
It is estimated that between 2015 and 2020, Panama will need to hire around 68,000 employees with technical specialties, and the logistics sector will be the leader in the demand.
According to a labor market study carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (Mitradel), estimates for from demand companiesfor technical personnel is high, with the logistics, industry, tourism, agriculture and construction sectors being those that most need staff with these capabilities.
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.
There is still a shortage of workers with the skills and technical training needed to work in several sectors, ranging from agriculture to telecommunications.
Workers with skills to not only operate but also repair specialized farm machinery, and even to train people in the operation of specialized software are what companies have been unable to find in different sectors in Nicaragua.Despite efforts, some even made byvarious private companies, to fund studies and train their employeesso that they can acquire the necessary skills, there remains a significant gap between labor supply and demand in the country.
The number of jobs in call center companies fell by 37% between 2012 and 2016, due to the difficulty in finding skilled labor for this activity.
Limited supply of staff with the skills needed to work in a call center and higher wage demands on the part of those who do meet the requirements are some of the reasons behind the reduction in activity in the call center industry in Panama over the last five years.In 2012, 12.643 employees were registered in call center companies, while last year the figure was reduced to 7,900, according to data from the National Authority of Public Services published by Prensa.com.
For the sixth time since 2013 a six month extension has been granted to the suspension on the levying of fines on companies that hire undocumented foreign labor for activities such as agricultural harvesting.
The government announced that in January 2017 it issued a new extension to avoid levying fines on companies in the agricultural sector that employ undocumented foreign workers during the harvest season.
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.
The Automotive Mechanics course has been selected to be part of the first pilot plan to implement a dual education system in 2017, in four technical schools in the country.
The Vocational College of Arts and Crafts (Covão) in Cartago as well as the Technical Professional Colleges (CTP in Spanish) Monsignor Sanabria, in Desamparados, Carlos Manuel Vicente in Golfito, and Jesus Ocaña in Alajuela, are the institutions which will be implementing the pilot dual education plan in 2017.
Lack of technically skilled labour is forcing some companies to bear the cost of training their employees.
Food technology and industrial electronics courses haven arisen precisely in response to the needs of the private sector, which increasingly needs employees with technical training.This was explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni by Berta Mayela Quintanilla, "... Director General of Fundación Victoria, an organization authorized by the Inatec to offer mid-level technical courses."
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'."
Seven out of ten entrepreneurs in Costa Rica would be willing to implement training programs for young people in the academic-work placement format.
A statement from the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (UCCAEP) notes that"...72% of employers would be interested in launching training programs under the dual mode and 83% said they already have accepted into their businesses students or trainees for internships or professional work experience."
The Bebasa Group will oversee the design and construction of the New Life project in the village of Curundú, Panama City, in the amount of $7.5 million.
The Ministry of Housing and Land Management (Miviot) won the contract for $7,581,845.39 for the supply of materials, labor, equipment and administration for studies, designs and construction of the building infrastructure project Nueva Vida, located on Fourth Avenue, in the village of Curundú, Panama District, Panama Province.
Cities far away from the capital which have free zone regimes, labor and are close to ports, are becoming attractive places for businesses.
The characteristics of the so-called "emerging cities" outside of the greater metropolitan area, are mainly being exploited by multinational companies who want to operate under free zone schemes and near port terminals and areas with good road access. Turrialba, Cartago, and Orotina, Alajuela, are two of the locations identified as potential spots for foreign investment, according to the CINDE.
The private sector claims that it is not enough to invest $10 million in the construction of a technical school if the academic programs are not developed considering the staffing needs of the productive sectors.
The problem of a shortage of technically skilled labor in Panamanian companies will not be resolved if educational programs do not take as a starting point the demands of the productive sector.
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