Add this  to the list of the lack of skilled and semi skilled labor here in Panama.

When the extension works on the canal are finished, jobs will open up in logistics and transportation in the container transshipment ports and shipping agencies, but adequate labor could be lacking.

Work on the Panama Canal expansion, which has generated 20,470 jobs in 4 years, has brought with it most of the skilled labor available in the country.

When these works are done, along with megaprojects such as the metro system and some mining projects, manpower will be required for the maritime industry, which is already facing serious problems in meeting the demand for skills, said PanamaAmerica.com.pa.

“According to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), after the work (expansion) is complete, many jobs in logistics and transportation activities in the container transshipment ports and shipping agencies will be generated,” says the article.

“Every day it costs more to get qualified personnel to those areas. You have to practically train them internally in order to meet the requirements of the company,” said the CEO of Panama Ports, Lucas Versari.

Source: Panamaamerica.com.pa