Vocational Education

Why we do it:
As tourism and foreign investment increase in the Tola region, so does the demand for skilled workers.  Construction sites call for experienced masons, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.  Hotels and resorts require tour guides, receptionists, translators, waiters and bartenders.  We believe that it is important for locals in this rapidly developing area to be able to take advantage of this.  So one of our main goals has been to make vocational education more accessible to local community members.

Key Issues:
1) The closest university center is in Rivas, a two-hour bus trip away. Many prospective students do not have close access to higher-education opportunities.

2) Most graduating high school seniors do not get the opportunity to continue on to higher education because of the many costs involved. These expenses include, but are not limited to: university tuition, weekly travel, books and other supplies. Likewise, the opportunity cost involved in full-time study inhibits students from contributing to the combined family income.

Our Solution:
By offering vocational classes here in Limón, we create educational opportunities that help locals gain knowledge and skills in careers that are stable and in high-demand.  Since we are an INATEC (Instituto Nacional Tecnológico) accredited education center, the certificates that we award are nationally recognized.  We currently offer six different INATEC accredited courses: Microsoft Office and Internet, Operador de Mircrocomputadoras, Residential Electricity, Residential Plumbing, Welding and Conversational English.  We design our course offerings on a rotating basis, providing new and relevant courses each year.  Our hope is that FunLimón graduates will have the knowledge and experience to take advantage of the growing job market in the region.

Vocational Center Community Development Initiative: 

Our vocational programs also contribute to local community development through a learning/teaching model that combines hands-on learning and service to the community.  In the town of Limon #1 and surrounding areas, many families live with no indoor plumbing and dangerous electrical connections that can pose serious health risks to families.  In moving our classroom to the community, we simultaneously provide a "real-life" work space for our students while providing needed home improvements to families at very low cost.  Our electricity and plumbing students have completed over 6 full-home electric installations and 3 septic system installations for local families in the community.