Luisa Agüero wrote an article for Forbes Mexico where she analyses Talent in Central America. According to Agüero, Central America is a market with talent. Almost 80% of job vacancies are filled with local talent. However, there are certain jobs that cannot be locally developed, given the lack of technical universities advocated to developing professionals.

During the past few decades, migration of professionals with technical formation has become a structural and permanent problem in the region. The main destinations for Central American talent are Canada and Panama.

According to research on the subject, in the region, just like in other places of the world, there is a gap between demand and supply of talent in the labour market.

On the one hand, there is an excess of college graduates in certain disciplines, such as medicine, business administration, accountancy, communications, pedagogy and law.

On the other hand, some of the most required professions in the labour market are engineering, technicians, sales representatives, finance and accountancy, and information technology.

Therefore, despite the graduates’ supply, employers have difficulties filling vacancies. The lack of technical skills, experience and work abilities, pursue for higher wages and candidates not willing to work in part-time or temporary jobs are some of the reasons that, according to employers, explain this gap.

Nevertheless, when discussing the regional labour market, Central America cannot be approached as a whole; each country has to be analysed separately, as their conditions and circumstances are different.

El Salvador

In this country, there is more talent than job offers. There is a lot of restructuring and changes of profiles, but there are professionals with disruptive skills for a market in need of aggressiveness and creativity due to the economic slowdown. There are lots of unemployed talents who have had to adapt to job offers with lower wages.

The reason for this situation are the following: there is a gap between superior education training and the needs of talent of private companies. Corporations are making up for the gap of skills for young talent jobs by implementing internships with high impact projects that promote the development of the skills that these youngsters lack.

Guatemala

Guatemala is upgrading the profiles and the demand of high level jobs in companies. Talent is evolving to adapt to development, and there is more dynamism.

Currently, companies are going through restructuring processes, with the renovation of their human talent, based on efficiency and multitasking profiles and choosing skills over experience, energy and capacity of delivering results.

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua there is greater mobility between nations of the Northern Cone, and professionals from El Salvador and Guatemala arrive to the sectors of operations and telecommunications. Some come from South American countries, such as Venezuela, which has professionals trained in the oil industry.

Costa Rica

In this country, there has been a development of education and talent in processes and skills. Certain areas suffer a lack of talent due to high levels of investment, such as IT, finances and accountancy. However, the government encourages initiatives with the academy to satisfy demand. Talent found in companies are known for their innovation and constant change.

Honduras

This country is strong in the maquila sector. Professionals with experience in this sector have been exported in the areas of production, operations and human resources, as well as professionals of the agriculture sector.

Panama

As regards talent import, the Panamanian market is the most dynamic of the region. The presence of international companies with headquarters here and the sustained growth of the country have enhanced the interaction with other markets. People from all over the world are interested in professional opportunities and are willing to move to Panama. Foreign talent is mostly demanded in high and medium level management positions.

Dominican Republic

This country brings talent from Venezuela and Mexico for management positions in production and operations. Dominican talent is only interested in opportunities that may arise in Panama or Costa Rica. This country is in need of professionals with advanced English levels.

Despite local differences, there are certain regional features. For instance, in the Northern Cone (Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador) and in Nicaragua there is a lack of executives in logistics and technology. The situation is similar in Panama, where professionals in logistics and production are needed.

Source: Forbes Mexico