Employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica continues to expand

Employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica has maintained constant growth since 2018. For example, during the entirety of 2021, the sector grew by an impressive 18%. Furthermore, it is estimated that, by the end of 2022,  growth for the year could surpass the prior twelve months and reach up to 20%. This is according to CINDE, the country’s economic development promotion agency.

The most prestigious device manufacturers are in Costa Rica

Of the twenty most important medical device companies in the world, thirteen have production facilities in Costa Rica. The country meets industry leaders’ requirements in terms of research and development and technology capabilities. This, coupled with the great human resource talent that Costa Rica provides to foreign investors, has resulted in the growth of operations of more than 100 companies related to the medical device sector in the country.

This sector of the economy is considered to be an important generator of jobs. As a result, employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica reached a total of 17,204 direct positions in 2021. Furthermore, it is estimated that the figure will increase significantly during the current year.

“More than a sector with great dynamism, the medical device industry is emerging as a huge niche of opportunity for those who want to study and work almost immediately. Today, it is possible to train in areas related to the industry through brief courses of study with high labor demand in the country. Increasingly, Costa Rica will require trained and skilled labor to meet the demands of a constantly growing sector,” explained Carolina Campos, engineer, and director of the Institute of Health Sciences, INCISA.

More employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica

Academic training in topics related to this industry increases the chances of employability for the country’s workforce. The constant demand for quality and manufacturing technicians for medical device companies means that more and more young people are seeking careers in these disciplines.

Those seeking employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica are finding that studying to be a technician in Quality or Manufacturing in the sector is a huge opportunity at the moment. It is essential to highlight that the programs are short and that virtual courses are available to students. One hundred percent of these classes are practical in their focus. Because those doing the teaching are part of the medical device industry, high-quality training is ensured.

Sponsorship for employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica

Currently, in Costa Rica, INCISA offers specialized courses that enable students to become technicians in Quality and Manufacturing of Medical Devices. These courses of study allow students to quickly enter the labor market and acquire the precise knowledge demanded by businesses in this sector.

Regarding human resource training, Costa Rica has an excellent opportunity to develop within the medical industry.

“In addition to the technical careers, the University of Medical Sciences (UCIMED) and INCISA have joined forces to develop and offer specialized courses tailored to meet the demands for employment in the medical device industry in Costa Rica. This education is available in all the necessary topics, including bioengineering. An example of this is the training for engineers in physiology and anatomy and a broad portfolio of courses in which medical science professionals join engineers and qualified personnel from the industry to develop training in bioengineering, innovation, and science and technology. It is extremely valuable that educational institutions and the companies in this sector work hand in hand to enhance the Costa Rican workforce’s capabilities further,” added Campos.

These tailored training courses include instruction in the INCISA laboratories, with instruments, equipment, and even cadavers, and all the necessary resources for learning to be carried out under high standards of quality and academic excellence.

The Institute of Health Sciences, INCISA, has the support of UCIMED and was established to offer practical courses at affordable prices and with high labor content in the country’s medical device industry.