What Kind of Workforce Can We Develop?
September 15, 2024
The 2023 Curacao census paints a clear picture: more than 60% of the population lacks vocational (MBO) education or higher, and only 7% hold a university degree. That 7% is particularly interesting. I personally know many unemployed academics, individuals who seem unable to find work despite their degrees. And then there are the academics who make me wonder how they even earned their diplomas, what they really learned, or whether they do anything with the knowledge they’re supposed to have acquired. It is not uncommon to see degrees framed on the wall, while in practice, these "experts" contribute very little to the economy or the advancement of society.
This raises a critical question: what kind of economy can we hope to build with a workforce like this? When over half the population needs more vocational training, we face a significant skills gap. Our economic potential becomes limited. There are only so many opportunities in sectors that demand highly skilled professionals. For example, how could we realistically develop a thriving ICT sector when most of the population lacks the necessary education and skills to support it?
It is no wonder that tourism has become such a dominant industry here. It is one of the few sectors that can absorb a workforce with lower educational qualifications. But how sustainable is that? Tour-ism, while important, is a fragile industry that can be deeply affected by external factors like global recessions or pandemics. Should we be pinning our long-term economic hopes on an industry vulnerable to forces beyond our control?
The problem extends beyond just education levels. We have a small percentage of university-educated individuals, but even among them, there is a disconnect between academic qualifications and practical application. Many are stuck in jobs that do not require their degree or, worse, unable to find work. Is this an issue with the quality of education or a reflection of an economy that does not have room for highly specialized or advanced skills?
What is clear is that we need to rethink our education and workforce development approach. Simply pushing more people through higher education is insufficient if the degrees do not translate into real economic contributions. We need targeted vocational training that meets the demands of a modern economy and a strategy to diversify beyond tourism. Otherwise, we will remain stuck in a cycle where our human capital is underutilized, and our economic prospects remain limited.
Miguel Goede
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