Diego Andrés Lopez Garro

Diego López is a skilled IT professional from Costa Rica and the WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for the Americas. He competed in IT Network Systems Administration at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, earning a Medallion for Excellence and the Best of Nation award.

From Pérez Zeledón, a small agricultural and tourism region in southern Costa Rica, Diego moved to San José to pursue a career in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Facing financial barriers to higher education, he enrolled in a technical programme at the National Training Institute (INA), which offers free technical and vocational education training across the country. It was through INA that he discovered WorldSkills, and after a rigorous selection process, he began intensive training for Kazan 2019, including a three-month training program in South Korea facilitated by WorldSkills Korea.

Following the Competition, Diego was recruited by an American tech company, where he worked for four years before transitioning to another firm that allows him to work remotely. In 2022, he enrolled in university, balancing evening classes with his professional career. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Diego continually expands his expertise in the rapidly evolving IT industry.

Diego has remained actively involved with WorldSkills Costa Rica, serving as an Expert at national competitions, mentoring new competitors, and sharing his journey at student events. As a WorldSkills Champions Trust representative, he aims to inspire young people to follow their dreams, even when faced with challenges. He is also passionate about the role of skills education in combating poverty and youth unemployment.