With over $13 billion in government infrastructure programs in the works, it is becoming more obvious to everyone that Panama does not have the necessary work force to accomplish its goals. And of course if government is having problems, so is the private sector. As this article points out, there is a real shortage of skilled workers and it will become more acute each year as these projects gain momentum. Fortunately the president sees the problem and says we must open up the country to foreign workers. The unions won't like it and neither will many entrenched Panamanians, but it is the only solution and one that will benefit the country in many more ways than just filling a job position. Panamanians need to work with skilled workers from other countries in order to learn new skills. They also need to see how performance is rewarded with higher salaries and benefits. This is the only way I see Panama able to build the bright future that lies ahead.
MINERVA BETHANCOURTH
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The pace has been injected into state infrastructure investments could be damaged by the lack of skilled labor to build, management and manage the ten projects that are underway or about to start simultaneously.
According to the ambitious government estimates, contained in a report that contains 34 projects, some on wheels and other procurement-undated 34 000 direct jobs generated in the coming years.
The project will require more workers is the construction of the first Metro line, which should employ some 3 000 people from 2011 to 2013.
The scenario is complex, considering that 2011 is the year "spike" in regard to employment generation product of the construction of the third set of locks of the Panama Canal. For this work, it required 6 000 748 people.
According to analysts and experts in the labor market, the number of people trained not grow on par with the works, and it is likely that by 2013 demand will exceed supply.
The director of consultancy Insight Economy, Jovany Morales, estimated that from next year there will be a "bottleneck" and that 2014 will be a critical year.
Ricardo Martinelli administration is no stranger to this reality and, quietly, begin to say in forums and meetings with entrepreneurs that if the country lacks the necessary personnel should import people from abroad.
The amount of labor may increase as new projects up for tender, as the Financial Tower or the amphitheater in the area of Amador.
However, it would be wrong train workers only in the area of construction, because this business is cyclical and volatile.
Last October, Manpower Panama presented the results of the Talent Shortage Survey 2010, which found difficulty in finding workers.
38% of employees in Panama has difficulty filling key positions within their organizations.
In Panama, the most difficult to fill jobs are: technicians, sales managers, secretaries, personal assistants, administrative assistants and administrative support personnel, and accounting and finance staff.
Luis Fernando González, regional manager of Manpower and the Dominican Republic, said she is seeing a recovery in employment in many parts of the world, but where space is available, employers have difficulty filling.
The problem is not the number of potential candidates, but the lack of talent because not enough people with the skills required in the right place.
The matter is compounded, since employers are looking for a specific skill set and are less willing to preventive contracts. In the case of Panama that could see it coming, to set a target investment of $ 13 billion 600 million in five years.
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