Our people make the difference

• Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the American Continent (95.8%)

• After the abolishment of the armed forces in 1948, resources have been invested in education and health services for the population

• Education is mandatory until the 9th grade and makes strong emphasis on computers and English skills since the early grades

• Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million people, 43% are between the ages of 15 and 40 years old

• The labor force is 2.05 million people with an unemployment rate of 6% (estimated to December 2008)

• The National Training Institute (INA) offers free technical training in many fields. A total of 95 technical schools and 60 universities prepare professionals with the highest international standards. These institutions offer training in several areas such as: electronic, electric, mechanical, and processing engineering

Stable Employer - Employee Environment: "Asociación Solidarista"

• Employer-sponsored workers’ association
• All employees are welcome to participate voluntarily
• It operates as a credit union, providing multiple benefits to the employees
• The employer contributes with a portion of the severance provisions, and the employees contribute with personal savings
• "Solidarista" organizations are not sector-wide bargaining instances, as American unions
• There are some similarities with a 401(k) retirement plan, without the stock options
• Cooperation between employer and employee is common. According to the Global Competitiveness Report 2008-2009 of the World Economic Forum, Costa Rica is ranked 8th out of 134, in terms of cooperation in employment relations