A. M. 
The Encuesta de Demanda Laboral (Endel) 2025-2026 presented by the Comisión Nacional de la Micro y Pequeña Empresa (CONAMYPE) and the Instituto Nacional de Capacitación y Formación (INCAF) reveals key findings on the employment landscape in the country.
The study, which included 807 micro and small enterprises (MSMEs), identified 10,227 formal jobs as of june 2025. Of these, 61.4% are held by men and 38.6% by women. Furthermore, it was highlighted that 64.2% of MSMEs plan to create new jobs in the next 12 months, reflecting a positive trend toward job creation.
Regarding the most in-demand skills, 66% of companies are looking for technical skills, while 64.2% require soft skills—such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. Furthermore, 44.8% of SMEs are prioritizing digital capabilities, a sign of the sector’s progress toward technological transformation.
According to Iveth Quinteros, Labor Market Intelligence Manager at INCAF, these results clearly demonstrate the market’s real needs and will allow training programs to be tailored to the current demands of the productive sector.
“This study is revolutionary because it is finally shedding light on the exact needs of micro and small businesses. Through this study, we can work across all sectors, with all municipalities, through local economic development projects, business incubators, and acceleration programs, and link them to INCAF’s vocational education activities”, emphasized the head of CONAMYPE.
Paola Machuca, head of INCAF, underscored that this is the first time such a comprehensive characterization of salvadoran micro and small businesses has been conducted, identifying their economic models, business practices, and the specific human talent they require to grow.
The Endel 2025-2026 represents a crucial step in coordinating public policies for employment, as it aligns training programs with the real demands of the labor market, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of micro and small businesses throughout the country.
With this tool, the Government of El Salvador reaffirms its commitment to promoting a more dynamic and inclusive labor system, adapted to the evolving needs of the productive sector, paving the way for more and better opportunities for salvadorans.
Read also:
