The coffee industry in Costa Rica can be a good alternative for the young in search of a job in Costa Rica. The Technical-Professional High-School of Santa María de Dota knows this, and therefore “Coffee Industrialization” is a subject included as a subarea within the specialty of Alimentary Agro-Industry with agricultural technology.

The area of Santa María de Dota is located in the Zona de Los Santos, an agricultural territory dedicated for years to growing coffee; a product that is the base of the economy of this region and that has a series of qualities that makes it unique, placing it among the best in the world.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the young since we have here everything they need in order to teach and learn right here. Here we love coffee, we breath coffee and we live coffee. We have an agreement with the coffee cooperative Coopedota, for students to learn the meaning of being the son or daughter of a farmer, and with the hopes they want to continue with the tradition of coffee, taking care of it and loving it”, explained Marilyn Chacón, professor of Agro-industrial business.

“We accommodate these classes in the curriculum, so the lessons they take are within their school hours. The most important part of this is the aggregated value it has. They receive their high-school degree and a degree as a specialist in the area, which is a great way to help them get a job”, continued Chacón.

Students ages 16 and 17, learn about the coffee bean, the proper way of collecting it, the industrial process and commercial process of coffee, they also take practical barista training courses from beginner to advanced. The Costa Rica Coffee Institute is in charge of the barista courses and provides the respective certificate.

Costa Rica is regarded globally for the quality of its coffee.

The coffee industry in the country is formed by 53,414 producers and it’s the third agricultural export product with 306.5 million dollars in 2016, pineapple and banana take second and first place respectively. / EFE