Changes in the Costa Rican labor market require employers to hire young people with experience and a higher level of academic preparation, according to the results obtained by the Second Quarterly Business Survey “Pulso Empresarial”, released by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of the Private Business Sector (UCCAEP).
According to the document, 36% of employers require that their staff is supported by a university degree, while only 18% hire people who only have primary education.
In view of this situation, the union sees the solution in the dual education program, proposed by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). The survey indicates that 7 out of 10 companies are willing to participate in this type of projects.
Companies are demanding technical personnel with experience, and that is precisely what dual training promotes, that young people study and learn by practicing directly in companies,”
said Franco Arturo Pacheco, president of UCCAEP, a few weeks ago
In 2016, the Higher Council of Education (CSE) approved the implementation of the pilot plan for Dual Education in response to the country’s needs and realities of the job market.
During the current school year, the program started in four technical schools in Cartago, Desamparados, Golfito and Alajuela.
As explained by the General Directorate of Technical Education, the project will be extended for three years and will be developed in stages. This year, they implemented the first stage, which includes technical visits to companies.