When you want to work in Panama there are only a few professions which are in demand. The main one is teaching. There are numerous programmes for students to join on which they can spend a year or two teaching – usually in rural areas – and then return to their home country. Work like this does not generally pay very well, but if you have a proven teaching qualification then you can find work in a private school, and this usually attracts a much higher salary.

Qualifications for teaching English as a foreign language are the main ones to have if you want to teach in Panama and there are a number of ways in which you can gain these qualifications. It does not matter where or how you gained these qualifications – online training courses are just as acceptable as traditional courses – these will be accepted in Panama. For high school teaching you must have a degree in the subject you are teaching and a teaching qualification too. Teaching roles for other subjects are also in demand, but you must be able to communicate in Spanish too.

Foreign nationals are also in demand within the tourism industry. If you have experience working within sales or marketing – particularly with specialist qualifications – your skills will be needed as having a native English speaker on the staff can often help to attract custom. There is also a need for English speakers within the real estate sector as there are large numbers of English-speaking expats moving to the country all the time and they often feel more comfortable dealing with a fellow English speaker.

Many people will be working in Panama for international companies in fields such as banking, insurance and engineering and if you are transferring to work for one of these organisations then the qualifications that you already have will be acceptable.

As there are many international schools in Panama, qualifications that have been obtained in many parts of northern America and Europe are accepted in the country. There is no procedure for transferring qualifications as this is not required. Many qualifications which are for specific jobs are often accepted too, such as accountancy and medical training. Depending upon the level of your qualification and how long you have had it you may need to take refresher courses locally but many employers can arrange these for you.