The National Institute of Vocational Training and Human Development (INADEH) announced a major expansion of its educational programs this week. The Panamanian state agency plans to offer 8,600 courses nationwide by 2026, a strategic move designed to boost technical skills and improve employment rates across the country.
This ambitious plan begins with an initial rollout of 3,000 courses starting January 12. Institute officials framed the expansion as a direct response to the evolving demands of Panama’s key economic sectors.
Focus on High-Demand Industries
The course expansion will target industries with significant labor shortages. According to Asdruval Ulloa, INADEH’s Director of Professional Training, the focus areas include logistics, agriculture, industry, information technology, and tourism. The institute is aligning its curriculum with market needs to ensure graduates can find work quickly.
“We are focused mainly on web programming courses, virtual technology assistant programs, gastronomy areas, and, primarily, tourism,” Ulloa stated. He highlighted a specific tourism program that provides immediate certification. “Persons who train will automatically obtain the license from the Panama Tourism Authority.”
The expanded catalog will include 22 new long-duration programs lasting over four months. Another 20 short courses with 40 to 80-hour schedules will also be introduced. Registration for all new courses opens January 5, 2026.
Heavy Equipment and Construction Training Gets a Boost
A significant portion of the new courses will address Panama’s booming infrastructure sector. INADEH’s Director General, Yajaira Pittí, detailed plans to dramatically increase training for heavy machinery operators and construction trades. This initiative supports major national projects like the Fourth Bridge over the Canal and Metro Line 3 construction como parte of a wider infrastructure push.
“We are working to activate, instead of one training center, three or four courses for heavy equipment and construction,” Pittí said. [Translated from Spanish] “We are going to activate double, so that we have availability for all interested parties and with the additional benefit that we will make the list of course graduates available to most contracting companies immediately.”
This direct pipeline from the classroom to construction sites aims to solve a critical bottleneck. Contractors often struggle to find qualified local operators, a gap this vocational training surge intends to close.
The National Institute of Vocational Training and Human Development operates as Panama’s primary public entity for technical and vocational education. Its new strategy represents a concerted effort to modernize the national workforce. Officials believe equipping citizens with in-demand skills is fundamental for sustainable economic development.
Panama’s economy continues to show strong growth in construction, logistics, and tourism. The success of this training expansion hinges on its ability to keep pace with that growth. INADEH’s commitment to offering thousands of new courses suggests the government recognizes the urgency of the upskilling challenge.