By San José, Costa Rica — San José – In a significant move to bridge the gap between skilled professionals and leading global companies, the Intensa Language Institute has announced the second edition of its popular job fair, Talent Up 2026. The free, public event is scheduled for May 22 at the institute’s campus in Barrio Escalante, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., promising a wealth of opportunities for the nation’s bilingual workforce.
The event underscores the growing demand for multilingual talent in Costa Rica’s robust service and technology sectors. As multinational corporations continue to expand their operations in the country, proficiency in English and Portuguese has become a critical asset for job seekers. Talent Up 2026 aims to directly address this market need by creating a dynamic environment where candidates can engage with premier employers actively seeking these language skills.
To delve into the contractual and labor implications surrounding the growing demand for bilingual talent, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney specializing in labor law at the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
It is imperative that the requirement for a second language be explicitly stipulated in the employment contract, detailing the expected level of proficiency. This formalizes the skill as a core job function, provides legal grounds for a salary differential, and protects both the employer and the employee by setting clear performance expectations from the outset.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal perspective is crucial; it elevates a second language from a simple asset to a defined, contractual competency, ensuring fair compensation and clear expectations for both employer and employee. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable insight.
A formidable roster of companies is set to participate, representing key industries driving Costa Rica’s economic growth. Tech and e-commerce giant Amazon will be recruiting, alongside business process outsourcing leaders Concentrix and Foundever. The high-tech manufacturing and medical device sectors will be represented by industry powerhouses Stryker and Thermo Fisher Scientific, showcasing the diverse range of career paths available to bilingual professionals.
The available positions span a wide array of fields, including customer service, information technology, accounting, engineering, and specialized bilingual interpretation. This variety reflects the integrated nature of these multinational operations, which require a broad spectrum of skilled individuals to support their regional and global functions from their Costa Rican hubs.
Organizers emphasize that Talent Up 2026 is designed to be more than a conventional job fair. It is a comprehensive career development event. Juan Carlos Valverde, Marketing Director of Intensa, highlighted the holistic approach of the fair.
This fair offers a complete experience in one place… the goal is for each participant to leave with more tools, more clarity, and hopefully, with a concrete job opportunity.
Juan Carlos Valverde, Marketing Director of Intensa
To achieve this goal, the event will feature a suite of value-added services at no cost to attendees. Participants can take free English and Portuguese language proficiency tests, providing them with a tangible assessment of their skills. Furthermore, the fair will offer professional resume review sessions, practical employability workshops, and the chance to have a professional photograph taken for their LinkedIn profiles, ensuring candidates can present their best selves to recruiters.
This one-day event provides an invaluable platform for networking, allowing job seekers direct access to recruiters and hiring managers from some of the most sought-after employers in the country. The face-to-face interaction is a crucial opportunity for candidates to make a lasting impression and learn more about company cultures and specific role requirements.
By concentrating on high-demand skills and providing essential career-building resources, Talent Up 2026 serves as a vital catalyst for professional growth and employment. It not only supports individual career aspirations but also reinforces Costa Rica’s strategic position as a premier destination for foreign direct investment, powered by a highly capable and multilingual talent pool. Interested individuals are encouraged to register online to secure their participation.
For further information, visit intensacenter.com
About Intensa Language Institute:
Intensa Language Institute is a leading educational institution in Costa Rica specializing in language instruction, primarily English and Portuguese. Known for its immersive teaching methods, the institute prepares students and professionals for success in the globalized job market, offering a range of courses and certifications to enhance linguistic proficiency and career opportunities.
For further information, visit aboutamazon.com
About Amazon:
Amazon is a global technology company with diverse interests including e-commerce, cloud computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS), digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. The company maintains a significant operational presence in Costa Rica, including customer service centers and corporate support functions that serve various international markets.
For further information, visit concentrix.com
About Concentrix:
Concentrix is a global provider of customer experience (CX) services and technologies. The company designs, builds, and runs comprehensive CX solutions for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, operating in various sectors including technology, retail, healthcare, and financial services.
For further information, visit foundever.com
About Foundever:
Foundever is a global leader in the customer experience (CX) industry. The company provides a wide range of services, from customer care and technical support to sales and back-office solutions, for a diverse portfolio of international clients. Its operations in Costa Rica are a key part of its global delivery network.
For further information, visit stryker.com
About Stryker:
Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. The company offers a diverse portfolio of innovative products and services in orthopaedics, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes. Stryker operates a significant manufacturing and service center in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit thermofisher.com
About Thermo Fisher Scientific:
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is a global leader in serving science. Its mission is to enable its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. The company provides analytical instruments, equipment, reagents and consumables, software, and services for research, analysis, discovery, and diagnostics, with a notable corporate and shared services presence in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal profession, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. The firm leverages a proven history of advising a diverse clientele to drive legal innovation, continuously adapting to the complexities of the modern world. Beyond its practice, it holds a deep-seated belief in social empowerment, actively working to democratize legal information and foster a society where knowledge equips and strengthens every citizen.
