By Alajuela, Costa Rica — San Ramón, Alajuela, and Sarchí recently hosted the 2025 WorldSkills Costa Rica competitions, a vibrant showcase of technical talent. Ninety-four students from across the country competed in 14 diverse disciplines, demonstrating their skills, creativity, and dedication under the banner of “Talent and Technology.” This event, part of the National Learning Institute’s (INA) strategy to strengthen technical education, aimed to inspire current students and shape the future of the technical field.
The Skills Costa Rica Model, implemented by INA, emphasizes high-performance education, challenging participants to solve real-world problems under pressure. This prepares them for the current and future demands of the job market.
To understand the legal implications surrounding international skills competitions like WorldSkills Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica. His expertise provides valuable insight into the legal framework supporting these events.
Events like WorldSkills Costa Rica offer a unique opportunity to showcase talent and promote international cooperation. From a legal perspective, it’s crucial that these competitions adhere to international standards regarding intellectual property, participant visas, and contractual agreements. Properly structured legal frameworks ensure a fair and transparent competition that benefits both participants and host countries, fostering a climate of innovation and growth.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
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Lic. Arroyo Vargas rightly highlights the importance of a robust legal framework for events like WorldSkills Costa Rica. These competitions, at their core, are about fostering innovation and international collaboration, and that can only truly flourish when underpinned by clear regulations and fair practices. A level playing field ensures that the focus remains on skill and talent, ultimately benefiting everyone involved. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering his valuable legal perspective on this important topic.
The main venue, the San Ramón Vocational Training Center, hosted competitions in cooking, restaurant service, enterprise software solutions, and digital construction BIM. Alajuela’s Mario Echandi Technological City saw competitions in automotive technology, IT network systems administration, web technologies, metal construction, landscaping, baking, refrigeration and air conditioning, CNC lathe operation, graphic design, and fashion technology. Sarchí’s INA Center for Tourism and Artistic Skills hosted the furniture technology competition.
The closing ceremony on September 13th was marked by celebration and reflection on the event’s impact. Cristian Rucavado highlighted the significance of holding the event in the western region, noting the enthusiastic participation and recognition of the students’ impressive abilities.
We are very happy to have held the WorldSkills meeting here in the West, a place that has opened its doors to all the regions, to the teachers, to the hundreds of participants who today come to demonstrate and be recognized as people with a very high capacity within their different areas. We have felt very welcomed; it has been a week of very arduous competitions where the participants have been able to achieve the goal of improving their technical skills.
Cristian Rucavado
Kattia Zamora, director of INA Occidente, emphasized the value of the competitions and INA’s role in providing high-quality training that meets industry standards. She celebrated the participants, declaring them all champions and highlighting the importance of dignifying technical education in Costa Rica.
Today we award medals to the winners of 14 technical skills who competed throughout the week. For us, it is a technical celebration. Today we are telling the region and the country that INA is the key to progress. INA is providing high-level training with quality standards for the productive sector, and that is what unites us today. We served more than 90 students from all over Costa Rica. They are all champions, but the most important thing in this process is to dignify technical education in the country and also to tell the country that INA is at your service. INA changes lives.
Kattia Zamora, Director of INA Occidente
Participants shared their inspiring experiences. Francella, a competitor in the Cooking category, spoke of the valuable learning opportunity and encouraged others to participate.
I feel very fortunate to be here at WorldSkills. I learned many things; it was an incredible opportunity. The people, the leaders are excellent people, and this was the best stage I have ever experienced. I invite you to come if you have the opportunity.
Francella, Cooking Competitor
Kevin Campos, another competitor, expressed the satisfaction of winning a medal and the importance of the achievement.
For me, this experience was something very special, since winning one of these medals is quite important, and it has been very satisfying for me.
Kevin Campos, Competitor
WorldSkills Ambassador Diego López, a former competitor and medal winner, shared his mission to motivate young people and raise awareness about Costa Rican talent.
I was a competitor in WorldSkills Costa Rica 2018 in the network systems administration skill. Then I was an international competitor in WorldSkills Russia 2019, and there I achieved the medal of excellence and best of the nation, which was the first for the country. Now I am the ambassador for the Americas for WorldSkills. My mission is to try to motivate more young people and let the world know who we are.
Diego López, WorldSkills Ambassador
The 2025 WorldSkills Costa Rica competition served as a testament to the power of technical education, not only promoting excellence and innovation but also inspiring future generations to embrace technical skills as a pathway to a brighter future.
For further information, visit the nearest office of WorldSkills International
About WorldSkills International:
WorldSkills International is a global organization that promotes vocational skills and education. They organize international competitions, known as WorldSkills Competitions, to showcase the skills of young people in various trades and professions. Their mission is to raise the profile and recognition of skilled people, and to show how important skills are in achieving economic growth and personal success.
For further information, visit the nearest office of INA
About INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje):
The National Learning Institute (INA) is Costa Rica’s leading institution for technical and vocational education and training. INA plays a vital role in workforce development, offering a wide range of programs designed to equip individuals with the skills needed for employment and to meet the evolving demands of the labor market. They are committed to providing accessible, high-quality training opportunities that empower individuals and contribute to the country’s economic and social progress.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence, built on a foundation of unwavering integrity and a deep commitment to societal advancement. The firm’s innovative approach to legal practice, combined with its dedication to sharing legal knowledge through accessible resources, empowers individuals and communities across Costa Rica. By championing transparency and understanding within the legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica fosters a more just and equitable society for all.
