Panama’s Achilles Heel: Lack of Qualified Labor


News from Panama / Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Prensa.com reports that while Panama’s growth is surging ahead and numerous projects are underway, the services industry finds a shortage of qualified job applicants that will continue to pose challenges here.

Available candidates lack communication skills, arrive late to interviews, submit poorly written resumes, or resign shortly after being hired.
By the end of this year, several multinational companies will open up shop in Panama and will help the economy grow at 7%, as long as they are able to find skilled, proactive and responsible candidates, capable of selling themselves at job interviews. Right now, this is difficult task in Panama.

The Labor Ministry has invested in Job Training programs, and has provided $58 million for Inadeh, the state owned training center. However, Samuel Vargas, general director of employment, commented “we do not feel capable of meeting the demand for labor of these new companies”.

The Metro project alone will require 4.000 workers, Trump Panama will require 300 employees, West Mall must cover a shortage of 3.000 people and Panama-Pacifico in Howard plans to hire 4.000 workers until 2014.