Are there no qualified personnel to work in the Channel?

The Union of Captains and Deck Officers (UCOC) questioned this week’s statements by the manager of the Panama Canal, Ricaurte Vasquezwho said that the process of hiring new generations faces challenges.

According to the association, there are no replacements due to poor personnel planning and because people do not want temporary jobs for 15 years.

“For the first time in over 100 years, we’re hearing that there are no personnel to work in the Panama Canal. It’s not a matter of education. What, a merit system?” UCOC explained.

Vásquez previously commented that in addition availability of fresh waterAmong the challenges of the interoceanic highway is finding trained staff who pass and pass the exams.

“The merit system requires a very strong and formal level of education. Another challenge that is not so obvious is that the workforce is starting to retire and a new generation of channel employees must be found to fill the tasks that these people are leaving,” said Vásquez.

Accordingly, he added that the recruitment process reveals that the national education system is not producing the kind of skills to handle the technologies that the channel will require.

Between now and 2026, about 2,000 Panama Canal employees must retire, Vásquez said.

“Yes, there has to be a replacement, but every day it’s getting more expensive to find them,” he said.

According to Vasquez, to the extent that this happens, recruitment processes are longer so they should be started earlier.

“We should even consider starting the training process in earlier years to make sure there is a quarry where the Panama Canal can find workers,” he said.