Introducing NOVA: Turning Bilingualism into Economic Opportunity in Colombia

In Colombia, bilingualism can create economic opportunity for workers. To address that, GitLab Foundation, in partnership with Fundación Santo Domingo announced New Opportunities for Vocational Advancement (NOVA), a strategic initiative designed to close the gap between workforce potential and economic opportunity in Colombia.

With additional support from the International Organization for Migration, Open Society Foundations, the Migration Policy Institute and Pathways International, NOVA integrates three core pillars: bilingualism, upskilling and transnational labor mobility. Together, these elements create a pathway for vulnerable populations — including youth and migrants — to access formal employment and build sustainable careers. 

"Closing the gap between training and labor demand is essential for the country's competitiveness. NOVA is part of our productive inclusion strategy by integrating bilingualism and skills development to expand formal employment opportunities and contribute to the sustainable wellbeing of families in Colombia,” said José Francisco Aguirre, Executive Director of Fundación Santo Domingo.

Currently, fewer than 10% of Colombia's population speaks English proficiently, yet bilingual workers earn 30–50% more than their peers and find work faster. NOVA is designed to close that gap — not just as a language program, but as a comprehensive workforce development model that combines English training, technical skills certification and hands-on job placement support.

"Bilingual workers in Colombia earn 30 to 50 percent more than those who only speak Spanish, and they find jobs faster. That's not a small difference — that's a life-changing one," said Ellie Bertani, CEO of GitLab Foundation. "NOVA is the kind of community-based, catalytic work we believe in. It targets specific skills that accelerate access to better jobs and builds sustainable pathways that can scale across the Americas."

NOVA's first prototype, Cuando Sabes Inglés Se Nota (When You Know English, It Shows), is already underway in Barranquilla. Of more than 5,000 applicants, 120 young people ages 18–28 were selected to participate in an intensive program that pairs language development with sector-specific technical training. The initiative operates on a pay for results model, tying funding disbursements to verified outcomes including certifications and formal job placement with wages above 1.5 times the minimum wage.

NOVA reflects the kind of catalytic, community-rooted work GitLab Foundation invests in.

The program builds specific skills that accelerate access to better jobs and creates sustainable pathways that can scale across the Americas. As NOVA expands to additional cities and countries, the Foundation looks forward to sharing what it's learning and growing the coalition of partners committed to making this work.