Bridging the Talent Gap: How NearShoring in Latin America Can Address Your Company’s Skills Shortage

Finding and retaining skilled talent is a top priority for American companies, but it can be challenging, especially in competitive industries like tech. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the skills shortage, making it even more difficult for companies to find the talent they need to grow and innovate. Nearshoring to Latin America can help companies bridge the talent gap by providing access to a pool of highly skilled, cost-effective talent. 

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how nearshoring in Latin America can address your company’s skills shortage.

1. The Benefits of NearShoring to Latin America

Nearshoring to Latin America offers many benefits for American companies, including:

1. Access to a large pool of highly skilled, cost-effective talent
2. Proximity and time zone compatibility
3. Cultural and linguistic similarities
4. Access to emerging markets and new opportunities

In addition to these benefits, nearshoring to Latin America can also help companies overcome the skills shortage by providing access to a diverse range of skills and expertise.

2. The Skills Gap and the Need for NearShoring

The skills gap is a major challenge for American companies, with many reporting difficulty finding and retaining skilled talent. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 50% of American companies report a skills gap among their employees, with the tech industry being one of the most affected.

Near-shoring to Latin America can help address the skills gap by providing access to a pool of highly skilled talent in areas like software development, data science, and engineering. Latin America is home to many top-ranked universities and technical schools, which produce highly skilled graduates in these fields. In addition, the cost of living and labor costs in Latin America are lower than in the United States, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious companies.

3. Key Considerations for Successful NearShoring

While near-shoring to Latin America offers many benefits, there are also some key considerations to keep in mind to ensure success. These include:

3.1 Choosing the right partner:

It’s important to choose a near-shoring partner with a track record of success and a deep understanding of the local talent market.

3.2 Communication and Collaboration:

Clear communication and collaboration are critical for successful near-shoring. Establish clear communication channels and protocols for sharing information, feedback, and progress updates.

3.3 Cultural differences:

Cultural differences can present a challenge when nearshoring to Latin America. Take the time to learn about the local culture and customs and find ways to bridge any differences.

3.4 Intellectual property protection:

Protecting intellectual property is essential when nearshoring. Ensure that your near-shoring partner has appropriate security and privacy measures in place.

The skills shortage is a major challenge for American companies, but near-shoring to Latin America can help address this gap by providing access to a pool of highly skilled, cost-effective talent. By choosing the right near-shoring partner, emphasizing clear communication and collaboration, bridging cultural differences, and ensuring intellectual property protection, American companies can successfully near-shore to Latin America and bridge the talent gap. With access to a diverse range of skills and expertise, American companies can stay competitive and continue to innovate and grow.

Table 1: Comparison of Average Hourly Wages in Select Countries

Country	Average Hourly Wage (USD)
United States	$30
Brazil	$9
Mexico	$6
Argentina	$8
Colombia	$6
Peru	$4
Chile	$10

(Source: Nearshore Americas)

Table 1 illustrates the cost savings that American companies can achieve by near-shoring to Latin America. With average hourly wages in Latin American countries significantly lower than those in the United States, near-shoring can provide a cost-effective solution for addressing the skills shortage.

Table 2: Comparison of Technical Talent in Select Countries

Country	Number of Technical Graduates
Brazil	83,000
Mexico	130,000
Argentina	29,000
Colombia	35,000
Peru	16,000
Chile	11,000

(Source: LinkedIn)

Table 2 highlights the abundance of technical talent in Latin America. With thousands of technical graduates each year, Latin America offers a large pool of highly skilled talent that American companies can tap into. By near-shoring to Latin America, American companies can access this pool of talent and bridge the skills gap.

Visit our exclusive page on Hiring Nearshore Developers to learn more about finding the ideal LatAm talent for your business.

If you’re looking to hire LatAm developers remotely, take a look at our guide on the Top 7 Websites to Hire LATAM Developers in the Americas for more in-depth information.

4. Conclusion

Nearshoring to Latin America can provide a valuable solution for American companies struggling with the skills shortage. With access to a large pool of highly skilled, cost-effective talent, American companies can continue to innovate and grow. By considering the key considerations for successful near-shoring, American companies can ensure that they are making the most of the opportunity to near-shore to Latin America. With the right partner, clear communication and collaboration, cultural awareness, and intellectual property protection, American companies can successfully nearshore to Latin America and bridge the talent gap.