We must facilitate the encounter of talents to strengthen and generate feedback on creativity and innovation. Mobility, flexibility and common policies are key points to reach that target.

By Martín Padulla

I begin writing these words in an airport. For a few years now, airports in Latin America have become a workplace for me too. I recognise many faces I have been seeing for a while. For these persons I come across in airports, mobility is an important part of their professional careers.

Mobile devices, connectivity, telecommuting, fixed-term professional projects, working towards goals and work-life balance have changed the concept of Work forever. Mobility and flexibility are a reality due to social pressures, interests, needs and corporative strategies. Indeed, it is a global phenomenon.

Regionally, this need for exchanges, free flow of goods, services and people is not always agile, simple and effective. Physical connectivity is still deficient in several important cities in the region. Regulatory frameworks are fragmented and differ a lot in each country. The necessary steps to incorporate a company do also share such luck. Certain cultural aspects, out-dated processes and bureaucracy may hamper the encounter between supply and demand of talent.

When it comes to business and work, regional economic blocs resemble forums to share experiences and state intentions, instead of spaces where common regional policies may be created.

This week the 47^TH Mercosur Summit is being developed in Parana, Entre Rios (Argentina). It aims to strengthen cooperative relationships in Latin America and to extend such relations with Europe and Asia. These are great titles that do not explain how, when, in what way or with what resources this target shall be accomplished. When the leaders of this continent state the formal declaration of this Summit, it is likely that a professional from Parana will find no direct flights linking the airport of his city to any capital city in Latin America, except for Buenos Aires. Furthermore, if he accepts the situation of taking an extra step than his compatriots in Buenos Aires, he will probably have to spend hours in the Argentinian capital to connect to another South American capital city.

In a context where half the world suffers from a lack of talent while the other half has employability issues, labour markets will increasingly show larger levels of diversity and multiculturalism. Gen Y and Z, prone to explore new alternatives and places, will increasingly demand different flexible ways of formal hiring and adequate conditions of mobility, even to places far away from the large cities.

How can we achieve a flow of talents in the region that provide feedback and strengthen each other?  How can we design and enhance dynamic and inclusive labour markets? How can we stimulate academic, technological and scientific exchanges? In what way may we plan the skills and talents that the region will need in the years to come? How can we link public-private initiatives in an effective way that enables the development of specific actions towards that direction?

There are initiatives in several countries Latin America that could grant excellent results on a regional level.

If we manage to create spaces and situations that allow our talents to connect, creativity and innovation will bring development far closer to us than what we may have imagined.

It would be brilliant if the Summits and Forums of our blocs and regional initiatives were discussing concrete issues that could be transformed into action plans, while considering the participation of the private sector and making such plans according to the needs of our workers and companies, in order to reach sustainable growth.

About Martin Padulla

Managing Director of staffingamericalatina. Martin Padulla is Sociologist (USAL), MBA (UCA) and labour markets expert. He published “Flexible Work in South America” and “Regulatory framework for private employment agencies in Latin America” two books about the new realities of work in Latin America.

mpadulla@staffingamericalatina.com

About staffingamericalatina

It is the unique independent digital media specialized in Latin American´s labour markets.

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