Introduction
Last Friday, I wrote about Mexico joining the global league of data centers (CD) with CloudHQ’s $4.8 billion investment in Querétaro for six complexes, 600 MW of computational load, 7,200 construction jobs, and 900 permanent positions. While COO Keith Harney’s speech exuded confidence, discussing the massive opportunity and energy supply for CDs, he overlooked the shortage of skilled human capital.
Literacy Crisis in Mexico
Only four out of ten Mexicans read at least one book annually, with most reporting fragmented online readings that don’t foster vocabulary or critical thinking. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) PISA 2022 results reflect this: Mexico scored 415 in reading, below the average of 476, and only 53% of students reached level 2—the minimum functional level allowing basic idea comprehension but not analyzing or evaluating complex texts, crucial for managing data center systems.
Weak University System
Mexico’s university system faces another challenge. Only the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Technological Institute of Monterrey rank among the world’s best in QS or Times Higher Education lists. No other Mexican institution appears among the top 600. Most state universities lag, with limited research and weak industry ties. Despite graduating over 120,000 engineers yearly, only 10-15% possess the necessary skills and English proficiency for high-tech sectors.
Recruitment Challenges for CloudHQ
CloudHQ’s quest to hire 900 specialists will be difficult due to scarce cooling, critical energy, and digital infrastructure management courses. Many graduates lack international certifications. The automotive and aerospace sectors absorb top talent, with only a few hundred technicians available for data centers annually. However, this deficit can be overcome through intensive training, university-company partnerships, international certifications, attracting foreign experts, and specialized subcontracting.
CloudHQ’s Strategy in Querétaro
In Querétaro, CloudHQ manages critical infrastructure (energy, cooling, security, and connectivity), while tenant technology companies handle the digital layer—servers and applications. Both sectors will face distinct personnel shortages, but they know how to address them through accelerated internal training, university partnerships, international certifications, foreign talent attraction, and specialized subcontracting.
Mexico’s Opportunity
Mexico can leverage this ambitious, multibillion-dollar project to enhance universities, expand technical programs, and encourage early reading. Although Mexico struggles with low literacy rates and insufficient specialist formation, closing these gaps will enable sustaining projects like CloudHQ’s and positioning Mexico as a key player in the global digital economy.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the literacy situation in Mexico? Only 40% of Mexicans read at least one book annually, with most engaging in fragmented online readings that don’t develop vocabulary or critical thinking skills.
- How does Mexico’s university system fare? UNAM and the Technological Institute of Monterrey are Mexico’s only institutions ranked among the world’s best. Most state universities lag, with limited research and weak industry ties.
- What challenges does CloudHQ face in recruiting specialists? Scarce relevant courses, lack of international certifications among graduates, and top talent absorption by automotive and aerospace sectors pose recruitment challenges.
- How does CloudHQ plan to address these challenges? Through intensive training, university-company partnerships, international certifications, attracting foreign experts, and specialized subcontracting.
- What opportunities does this project present for Mexico? This project can serve as a catalyst to improve universities, expand technical programs, and encourage early reading, potentially positioning Mexico as a significant player in the global digital economy.
