Here is a great series of articles from CentralAmericaData.com on the subject. Another reason why Panama might want to open up it’s immigration policies to allow foreigners more room here.
Given the lack of trained pilots, the Vocational Training Institute will invest $2 million in funding for training programs abroad.
In the next year alone the FAA estimates that airlines in the country will need about 360 pilots. Copa Airlines, needs to hire 500 new pilots over the next five years.
“Themistocles Rosas, director of Inadeh said that 40 Panamanians will be trained in the United States, specifically in Houston, Texas. The institution will finance the entire course which costs approximately $30,000. 50% will be via a scholarship and the rest with a loan”, reported Prensa.com
Panama in Need of Trained Pilots
November 2010
Panamanian airline Copa Airlines needs to hire about 200 pilots per year.
Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, said there is lack of training in the candidates, which fail to pass the recruitment tests. “There is a great opportunity to be developed in this profession, we are in need of a first class training center in Panama.”
Panama to Host Pilot Training Center
August 2010
From September Global TSC hopes to be operating a pilot training and simulation center.
With an investment of more than $1.5 million, the center seeks to become a focus for pilot training throughout Central America.
The president of Global TSC, Julio Planas Gómez, commented that the training and simulation center will feature state-of-the-art technology and a team of highly specialized personel, reports Prensa.com.
Panama Metro Bus to Hire 2000 Drivers
October 2010
Winners of a bidding process for urban transportation, Transporte Masivo de Panamá S.A., will contract 2,000 drivers.
The announcement was made by the director of the National Institute of Vocational Training for Human Development (INADEH), Themistocles Rosas.
Prensa.com writes, “Next November, Rosas said, classes will begin at the Training Center for Bus Operators, where applicants will be trained to drive buses for the new system.”
Panama Training Center Tender for $ 7.5 million
April 2011
The second of its kind to be tendered in Panama, the training centre is designed to train technical personnel in various disciplines.
Like the previous centre put out for tender, this centre aims to meet the need for trained staff required by multinationals operating in the Panama Pacific Special Economic Area.