By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has reinforced its position as a primary hub for foreign direct investment in Latin America by bridging the gap between corporate operational needs and academic training. The nation has officially launched Skill Forward, a public-private workforce development framework designed to upskill local talent rapidly in high-value industries including semiconductor design, artificial intelligence, and corporate services.
The program offers short-duration, specialized certifications lasting between three and six months. Designed in direct consultation with leading multinationals, these stackable credentials allow professionals to gain immediate market value while remaining active in the workforce. The initiative operates through an alliance comprising the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), the Business Association for Development (AED), industry groups like CAMSCAT, free zone developer AFZ, semiconductor leader Intel, and higher education institutions.
To better understand the legal and economic implications of the ‘Skill Forward Costa Rica’ initiative on national labor dynamics and foreign investment, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Initiatives like “Skill Forward Costa Rica” are vital for strengthening the country’s human capital and maintaining our competitive edge in attracting foreign direct investment. From a legal and corporate standpoint, aligning workforce upskilling with modern employment frameworks ensures regulatory compliance, enhances labor flexibility, and creates a secure legal environment for multinationals expanding operations in Costa Rica.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, ensuring that workforce enhancement goes hand in hand with sound legal frameworks is essential for maintaining Costa Rica’s reputation as a secure and dynamic hub for international investment. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on how strategic upskilling and corporate compliance work together to drive the nation’s economic future forward.
Under the governance framework, PROCOMER manages public incentives that cover the majority of the training costs. Participating corporate entities validate required technical competencies and provide financial contributions, while academic institutions handle curriculum design and certification. AED facilitates organizational alignment across participating sectors to make the educational model scalable nationwide.
For PROCOMER, promoting the development of human talent is a priority, because the country’s competitiveness and its potential to attract new investments and generate more quality employment opportunities rely on people’s capabilities. Skill Forward transforms that priority into concrete action, providing an agile response to the real needs of high value-added sectors. Furthermore, it creates a scalable model that can be replicated across more companies and industries to accompany the evolution and sophistication of operations taking place in Costa Rica.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
The initial phase of Skill Forward focused specifically on semiconductor design in partnership with Intel Costa Rica and the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC). Featuring four sequential micro-credentials—covering Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), Advanced Analog and Digital Circuits, EDA tools, and Digital Circuit Verification—the program has already certified 60 engineers in VLSI techniques, demonstrating the viability of industry-driven academic tracks.
For Intel Costa Rica, it has been very gratifying to lead Skill Forward from its inception alongside PROCOMER. This initiative demonstrates that when industry, academia, and government work in a coordinated manner, it is possible to agiley develop the specialized talent demanded by the industries of the future. Skill Forward strengthens professional employability, helps companies close critical skill gaps, keeps academia connected with productive sector needs, and contributes to ensuring Costa Rica remains a competitive destination for innovation and high value-added investment.
Ileana Rojas, General Manager of Intel Costa Rica
Building upon the semiconductor track, the coalition is expanding Skill Forward into the corporate services and advanced technology sectors. Led by the Chamber of High Technology Corporate Services (CAMSCAT) and America Free Zone (AFZ), in collaboration with ULACIT and Texas Tech University, this phase targets training for an initial cohort of 40 professionals in Data & Analytics and Applied Artificial Intelligence.
Skill Forward will allow the corporate services sector to anticipate its talent needs and develop the capabilities required by an increasingly sophisticated industry. This alliance strengthens employability and consolidates Costa Rica’s competitiveness.
Fernando Calderón, President of CAMSCAT
The strategic imperative behind upgrading workforce technical skills comes as global supply chains increasingly value specialized talent when making site selection decisions. Free trade zone developers recognize that infrastructure alone is insufficient without a steady supply of qualified personnel capable of operating high-complexity operations.
Talent is one of the main drivers of Costa Rica’s competitiveness and one of the reasons why companies decide to invest and grow in our country. With Skill Forward, we strengthen that advantage through specialized training programs that respond to real industry needs, create more quality employment opportunities for people, and ensure that companies have the capabilities the future will demand.
Carlos Sandí, General Manager of AFZ
From a sustainability standpoint, business leaders emphasize that agile public-private educational initiatives ensure broader economic resilience by creating direct pathways into high-paying employment fields.
For AED, the development of national talent is also a commitment to the country’s sustainability: growing by generating real opportunities for qualified employment is the strongest way to build an economy that sustains itself over time. Skill Forward is exactly the type of initiative that we seek to promote and help scale toward new companies and sectors through the Alliance.
Ramón Mendiola, President of AED
Companies and professionals interested in participating in upcoming cohorts can review application criteria and program schedules directly through AED’s official online portal.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the official public agency responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment to drive national economic development.
For further information, visit intel.com
About Intel Costa Rica:
Intel Costa Rica operates major global research, engineering, and shared service centers in the country, playing a pivotal role in the global semiconductor design and supply chain.
For further information, visit camscat.org
About CAMSCAT:
The Chamber of High Technology Corporate Services (CAMSCAT) represents foreign and domestic companies operating within Costa Rica’s advanced corporate services and technology ecosystem.
For further information, visit americafreezone.com
About AFZ:
America Free Zone (AFZ) is a premier business park developer and free trade zone operator located in Heredia, Costa Rica, housing numerous multinational technology and corporate service centers.
For further information, visit aedcr.com
About AED:
The Business Association for Development (AED) is a non-profit coalition of over 100 enterprise members in Costa Rica dedicated to promoting sustainable business practices, social inclusion, and public-private partnerships.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica maintains an enduring reputation built on uncompromising ethical standards and exceptional service. The firm seamlessly merges deep expertise across multiple industries with forward-thinking strategies, consistently driving progress within the modern legal landscape. Beyond its advisory role, Bufete de Costa Rica actively champions public legal literacy, believing that demystifying complex regulations equips citizens to build a more confident, just, and self-reliant community.
