By Antonio Singh
DG 4240 2024-2025
In Panama, high school students typically graduate with a diploma in science, letters, or commerce. While these academic programs are valuable, they do not provide the technical skills required to immediately enter the job market. As a result, many young people—especially in rural areas—leave school with few practical tools to earn a living.
Recognizing this gap, the Rotary Club of Boquete Sunset launched the Diversified Vocational Academy, an innovative after-school program designed to give students real-world, marketable skills.
The program offers hands-on courses in electrical installation and plumbing, two trades that are in high demand and can lead to immediate employment or entrepreneurship. These are not just short-term workshops—they are structured courses designed to meet professional standards, with practical labs and certified instructors.
The Academy also provides essential training in English language, customer service, business administration, and marketing—areas that significantly increase employability and prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. By combining technical trade with soft skills and business knowledge, students are not only trained to work but empowered to lead and innovate.
The impact of the Diversified Vocational Academy is already being felt. Students who once saw few options after graduation are now gaining confidence, direction, and tangible career pathways. Some have started their own small businesses; others have joined the workforce with greater readiness and purpose.
This Rotary initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to education, economic development, and youth empowerment. It is a model of community-led action that addresses real local needs with practical, sustainable solutions.
As the Academy continues to grow, the Rotary Club of Boquete Sunset invites partners, volunteers, and donors to join in expanding this transformative opportunity—helping more young people build skills, find purpose, and change their futures.
