Workforce Development

Talented & Diverse Workforce

Puerto Rico develops its talented workforce through a rigorous STEM-oriented education system that produces top-notch technical, engineering, and bioscience professionals. Plus, our talent pool is supported by workforce development resources and strong academic centers.

80+
accredited universities and colleges
20.5K
STEM degrees in 2021
#1
in higher education across the Caribbean
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Leader In STEM Graduates

50%
of university graduates hold a STEM degree
Top 25
in graduating both Chemical & Industrial Manufacturing engineers in the USA

(according to the America Society for Engineering Education)

#1
in the US graduating Underrepresented Minorities in Engineering

(According to the American Society for Engineering Education)

Academic Assets

Workforce Playbook

A deep dive into Puerto Rico’s academic and talent competencies, including insights into the local labor force’s technical skills, bilingual capabilities, and competitive wage rates. This playbook also explores the rich educational landscape, highlighting the specialties of Puerto Rican universities and colleges, alongside detailed occupational and wage statistics.
Playbook
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Economy & Workforce

16%
Job Growth

(Jan 2019- Jan 2024)

5.7
Unemployment Rate

(Feb 2024)

1,147M
Jobs

(Feb 2024)

$34.1K
Annual Mean Wage

(May 2023 $65.5K U.S.)


Workforce Support

The Workforce Development Program at the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) is a federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program that supports job applicants and displaced workers. It also gives young people access to meaningful employment, education, training, and support services. WIOA operations take place in 16 career centers across the island. In 2023, Puerto Rico received:

  • $22.4 million to support adult activities
  • $21.6 million for youth activities
  • $83.3 million for displaced worker activities
  • $5.9 million for the Employment Service (Wagner-Peyser Act)

Eligible entities can participate in developing a strong workforce and access up to $40,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support existing job training programs. The WIOA State Unified Plan for 2020-2023 offers a comprehensive view of Puerto Rico’s workforce development strategies.

Charting Your Course: Navigating Talent with Workforce Compass

Our Workforce Compass program serves as your gateway to understanding and leveraging Puerto Rico’s extensive talent and academic assets, ensuring that your business is supported by the right team. Workforce Compass provides a detailed overview of the local labor market, access to a database of skilled professionals, and insights into the academic institutions that are shaping the next generation of talent.

Whether you’re an existing business looking to expand or a new investor on the island, these resources help you make the most of Puerto Rico’s workforce ecosystem. Embrace the opportunity to transform your talent strategy.

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Tapping Into the Diaspora

Nearly five million Puerto Ricans live on the U.S. mainland, many of which are eager to return to the island. Together with other key stakeholders on the island, Invest Puerto Rico is working on initiatives to harness the potential of these individuals. One of our partners, ConPRmetidos, launched El Comeback, an initiative to collect the resumes of skilled workers on the mainland and connect them with companies in Puerto Rico. Thus far, ConPRmetidos has identified nearly 30,000 individuals. This means that your company can benefit from a talent pool that grows every day.

To assist with bringing talent to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s Incentives Code (aka Act 60) also confers credits to employers looking to attract difficult-to-recruit talent to the island. Read about Act 60 to learn more.

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