Diversity in Costa Rica: An opportunity for vocational training
Costa Rica is considered a pioneer in Latin America when it comes to inclusion and diversity. Social participation and equal opportunities are central elements of Costa Rican society, and this is also mirrored in the country's vocational education system. What can Germany learn from Costa Rica?
What is the current situation regarding diversity and inclusion in our GOVET partner countries? To mark Pride Month, we took a look at Costa Rica, which is known for its natural diversity – and, as you can see, its social diversity too.
Institutional foundations for diversity and inclusion
Costa Rica recognised the importance of diversity early on: at the beginning of the 2000s, the Consejo Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad (CONAPDIS) was established as a central institution to promote the rights of people with disabilities. Today, Costa Rica has legal quotas for the employment of people with disabilities in both the private sector and public institutions.
Inclusion is also enshrined in law in the context of dual education: people with disabilities, women, girls, indigenous groups and other vulnerable groups have a legal right to access education. The relevant actors – from companies to educational institutions – are obliged to take measures to implement this.
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Diversity in Vocational Education and Training – a brief look at Costa Rica
In an interview with the GOVET editorial team, Julia Olesen talks about the importance of diversity in the Costa Rican training system. What institutional foundations has the country laid for diversity and inclusion? How are people with disabilities integrated into training? How does the country promote women in technical professions? And how does it manage to integrate indigenous groups and other vulnerable groups? Looking beyond the horizon shows: Germany can learn a lot from Costa Rica when it comes to using diversity as a strength. The interview was conducted on the occasion of German Diversity Day in May 2025, which highlights the commitment to diversity in our society. (In German with English subtitle on YouTube)
Women in technical professions
The Costa Rican partner institutions pay particular attention to promoting women in traditionally male-dominated professions, especially in the technical and IT sectors. The figures speak for themselves: around 50 per cent of those in dual training in Costa Rica are female, which is a great success compared to many other countries, including Germany.
This has been achieved through targeted measures:
- Reaching out to girls when they are choosing a training programme,
- creating female role models,
- consciously ensuring equal representation in working groups and commissions.
The national continuing education institute INA (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) is an impressive example of this. It offers young women who dropped out of the education system due to early motherhood a new career path through dual training.
An open society with challenges
Costa Rica is an open and diverse society – a factor that facilitates the implementation of inclusive vocational training. In discussions with the Ministry of Education and other partners, it became clear how diversity is taken for granted in everyday practice.
Nevertheless, the country faces social challenges: migration, political polarisation and the structural disadvantage of marginalised groups.
One critical issue remains the qualification of training staff in the field of inclusion. Despite legal requirements, there is still a lack of comprehensive training opportunities for trainers in companies and teachers in schools. Inclusive education has not yet been systematically established, even though there is a willingness to change.
What Germany can learn from Costa Rica
Bilateral cooperation on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education clearly shows that Costa Rica offers many learning opportunities for Germany. For example, Costa Rica has succeeded in measurably reducing the gender gap in STEM professions. According to the partners, the use of quotas – for example when starting new training classes – has contributed significantly to gender equality.
These practical successes are based on social openness and courageous political decisions. These are aspects from which the German vocational training system can also learn and benefit.
Costa Rica impressively demonstrates how diversity and dual vocational training can be successfully combined. Legal obligations, institutional support and social commitment form the foundation for this. Despite remaining challenges, such as in the training of skilled personnel, the Costa Rican model offers valuable inspiration, particularly with regard to inclusion and gender equality in technical professions.