Introduction to the Issue
Mexico, a significant player in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and expansion plans, is grappling with a technical talent shortage in the automotive sector. According to the National Industry of Automotive Parts (INA), 70% of companies are struggling to fill challenging vacancies.
Educational Challenges and Dropout Rates
Data from Mexico’s Secretariat of Education (SEP) indicates that 30% of students enrolled in the automotive sector abandon their studies within the first year.
Collaborative Efforts to Address the Shortage
The private sector, led by the automotive industry and organizations like Coparmex and Camexa, has agreed to collaborate with the federal government to align educational systems with industry demands, addressing technological challenges and talent requirements.
Prioritized Areas for Talent Transformation
INA has identified six key areas for national talent transformation in the context of electromobility: electromobility, digitalization, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and specialized certification.
Growth Projections for the EV Market
Francisco González, president of the automotive parts sector, stated that Mexico doubled its electric vehicle production in 2024. The domestic market is projected to be worth $5,000 million by 2029.
According to McKinsey, electric vehicles could represent 42% of the global market by 2030. Batteries, the most expensive component, account for nearly 40% of the total value.
The Urgency of Modernizing Technical Training
Manpowergroup reports that 70% of companies face difficulties filling technical positions, emphasizing the need to modernize technical training.
Rapid technological advancements, such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and shared mobility, demand new skills, exacerbating the talent shortage issue.
Critical Technical Roles in Demand
Employers in the sector struggle to find professionals with specific skill sets, including electrical engineers, automation and robotics specialists, automotive software programmers, data analysts, machine learning experts, and robotics maintenance technicians.
Mexico’s Demographic Advantage
With a strategic demographic advantage of 31 million young individuals aged 15 to 29, Mexico has the potential to address the talent shortage.
The automotive parts industry, along with AMIA and ANPACT, ANUIES, AMIVE, and the World Resources Institute Mexico, agree that the new technological paradigm necessitates a comprehensive overhaul of technical education.
They highlight the growing demand for profiles with competencies in automation, metrology, charging infrastructure, and intelligent logistics, as well as the urgent need to update training schemes due to the rapid obsolescence of skills.
INA’s Competency Model for Electric Vehicles
INA has proposed a Competency Model for Electric Vehicles, incorporating transversal skills and advanced knowledge in areas such as power electronics, software usage or design, international regulations, and predictive maintenance.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? Mexico’s automotive parts industry faces a talent shortage in electromobility, with 70% of companies struggling to fill technical vacancies.
- Why is this a concern? The shortage affects not only production but also sales, digital marketing, and supply chain management.
- What are the prioritized areas for talent transformation? INA has identified six key areas: electromobility, digitalization, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and specialized certification.
- What are the growth projections for the EV market? Mexico’s electric vehicle production is expected to double by 2024, with a domestic market worth $5,000 million by 2029. By 2030, electric vehicles could represent 42% of the global market.
- What is the urgency in modernizing technical training? Rapid technological advancements, such as electric vehicles and autonomous driving, demand new skills, making it crucial to modernize technical training.
- Which technical roles are in high demand? Employers seek electrical engineers, automation and robotics specialists, automotive software programmers, data analysts, machine learning experts, and robotics maintenance technicians.
- What is Mexico’s demographic advantage? With 31 million young individuals aged 15 to 29, Mexico has a strategic demographic advantage to address the talent shortage.
- What changes are needed in technical education? INA and other industry partners emphasize the need for a comprehensive overhaul of technical education, focusing on areas like automation, metrology, charging infrastructure, and intelligent logistics.
