Discover How Costa Rica’s Skilled Workforce, Education, and Recruitment Programs Make It a Top Nearshoring Destination 

The specialized human talent is one of the fundamental pillars of Costa Rica’s value proposition as a destination for Nearshoring.  

Multinational companies can operate and grow in the country due to their access to an ample and trained talent pool in many critical areas. 

Costa Rican talent has been proven over the years, not only in terms of their technical capacity but also with reference to key soft skills such as customer and business focus, teamwork, and a creative mentality towards problem-solving. 

Some key points about the qualification of human talent in this Central American country are: 

English Proficiency and Business Communication 

Costa Rica has a moderate level of English, according to Education First’s English Proficiency Index (EPI). In the EPI 2024, Costa Rica ranks 38th out of 113 countries, and 3rd out of 20 in Latin America.  

English is the second most spoken language in Costa Rica, with 10.7% of the population over 18 years of age being proficient in English. French is the third most spoken language, with 0.7%. 

This proficiency facilitates communication for business negotiations and complex projects, as well as improving customer service for American companies. 

Educational Investments in Costa Rica for Workforce Development 

With a strong emphasis on education, which is public, mandatory, and free in since 1869, Costa Rica has a high literacy rate and a highly skilled workforce.  

The country invests 8% of its GDP in education, achieving one of the highest coverages of public education in Latin America and allowing the most vulnerable population to acquire the necessary skills for employment. 

Costa Rica also relies on numerous public and private universities and technical institutes for having a constant influx of new skilled talent joining the workforce. 

It is worth noting that Costa Rica implemented Dual Education in 2022, which emphasizes the early training of students in technical careers.  

That same year, three prominent companies in Coyol Free Zone– Abbott Medical, SMC Ltd., and Coopervision – actively participated in the program, showcasing their commitment to fostering a skilled workforce for the future. 

Variety of specialized roles 

Costa Rica’s growing economy and education opportunities have created a labor force capable of handling a variety of specialized roles, for the Life Sciences and Medical Devices industries.   

Firms can find an ample talent pool in many professional and technical careers such as industrial and materials engineering, quality management, precision mechanics, microbiology, chemistry accounting, industrial maintenance, among others. 

Companies like CODE Development Group help companies to access the skilled talent pool available in Costa Rica through many initiatives, including a digital employment exchange and job fairs. 

Multinational companies can utilize various platforms, including the one provided by CODE Development Group, to effectively connect employers offering job opportunities with individuals seeking employment in Coyol Free Zone and Evolution Free Zone.  

This platform features available jobs, allowing candidates to apply for vacant positions, internships, or professional practices. 

For further information about Costa Rican human talent, please visit: https://www.empleocode.com/