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Tapping a Hidden Talent Pipeline
- claymartin24
- Oct 19
- 4 min read
As springmakers know, finding reliable, skilled manufacturing workers is a growing challenge. One promising solution for importing skilled workers lies just beyond the mainland, but firmly within U.S. territory: Puerto Rico.
These workers are U.S. citizens, many with manufacturing experience, bilingual skills and motivation to relocate.
The Backstory
In 2016, a layoff pushed me to rethink my career. Through my experience with the Peace Corps in Latin America and translating and recruiting for farms and factories in upstate New York, I identified an overlooked opportunity: connecting Puerto Rican workers with mainland employers.
So, I bought a one-way ticket and spent several months driving around the island in my purple Jeep, building trust and creating a recruiting firm.
I have since placed thousands of Puerto Rican job seekers in manufacturing, hospitality and healthcare jobs.
This U.S. territory offers advantages over international recruitment.
The island's manufacturing history and ongoing economic struggles make many workers eager to relocate for better opportunities.
Puerto Rico's Manufacturing Roots
Manufacturing has long been central to Puerto Rico's economy.
Pharmaceutical plants, medical device factories, electronics assembly and textiles have provided decades of experience for workers across the island. These industries trained employees in precision processes, safety compliance and quality control, all of which are directly transferable to mainland operations.
Many Puerto Rican workers are bilingual, comfortable working in both Spanish and English and familiar with U.S. cultural and workplace norms. That combination of technical expertise and adaptability makes them well-suited for mainland employers seeking reliable labor.
An Economy Under Strain
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with a rich culture, yet its economy has struggled for years. In June 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 6.2%, compared to 4.1% on the mainland. Median household income is about $24,000 per year, less than a third of the $74,580 U.S. median.
Even skilled workers often earn far less than they would in similar roles on the mainland.
My goal is to provide people with better opportunities, regardless of their background or desired destination. Residents of Puerto Rico share with me their desire for optimal employment opportunities to grow as a professional, provide for their family and have consistent work.
Why Workers Choose the Mainland
Relocation is rarely an easy decision.
Leaving behind family and community is difficult and the transition requires adjusting to new cultural and logistical realities. Still, many Puerto Rican workers make the move because the benefits outweigh the costs.
It's common for me to hear things like in Puerto Rico I make $8 an hour. can you offer me something better?
I want a clear path for my career.
I want to grow!"
Their motivation is deeply personal: financial stability, better living conditions and the chance to build a more secure future. For many workers, particularly younger generations, relocating to the mainland represents the most reliable path toward advancement.
Employer Advantages
For U.S. manufacturers, recruiting in Puerto Rico presents several clear benefits.
Because Puerto Ricans are
U.S. citizens, no visas or red tape are required. Employers avoid the immigration bureaucracy that complicates international hiring. Many, but not all, speak English. This eliminates uncertainty, reduces costs and speeds up the process of moving workers into open positions.
Cultural familiarity is another advantage. Workers are already accustomed to U.S. systems and many are bilingual. This helps reduce onboarding friction and ensures smoother integration into the workplace.
Practical Challenges
While the advantages are clear. challenges remain.
Relocation costs are a major factor. Flights, moving expenses and initial housing can be prohibitive for workers without employer support.
Companies that provide relocation assistance or guidance stand a far better chance of successfully bringing in candidates.
Finally. Puerto Rican workers are in demand across multiple sectors. from healthcare to construction.
Manufacturers must compete not only with other manufacturing employers but also with other industries recruiting on the island. In one week, I can get calls from a hospital recruiting nurses to a hotel needing cooks to a construction firm looking for heavy equipment operators to a manufacturer wanting skilled workers or forklift drivers.
A Human Approach
In my decade of experience recruiting from the island, the biggest lesson l've learned is there is a unique human aspect to this progressive approach. It requires companies willing to go above and beyond to welcome these workers and get them established and comfortable.
These men and women are uprooting their entire lives and moving across an ocean to a place they've never been. That is very overwhelming. I've seen companies be so desperate for emplovees that they disregard the importance of orientation and training and put recruits to work immediately. There is no room for this when dealing with human capital, a company's most valuable asset.
When recruiting from Puerto Rico. it's paramount to provide a thorough
orientation. Consider potential misunderstandings and provide information to avoid them. Just like with any new employee, don't assume they know anything.
My most successful clients hold at least one full day of orientation followed by job training.
Looking Ahead
The U.S. manufacturing sector will continue to face labor shortages. The labor force in Puerto Rico may not be large enough to solve all of America's labor challenges, but for companies willing to take a progressive approach, it can provide exactly the solution they need.
Employers that approach this labor pool with care, reduce relocation bar-riers, offer transparent job packages and invest in worker training can build teams that improve these employees' lives and their own operations.
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