A Talented Workforce: Another Strength of Mexico’s Manufacturing Industry
Mexico’s industrial growth, driven by investments from multiple sectors that include the automotive, aerospace, appliances, and technology divisions, has created a cause for concern amongst investors looking to establish their business in Mexico. The sheer amount of companies moving into the country has caused some to question whether there are enough skilled laborers in the country.
Suffice to say that all indicators point towards Mexico having a very robust and highly qualified labor force.
Mexico is ranked 12th in countries preferred by investors, according to consulting firm AT Kearney. One of the leading reasons is precisely because of its skilled workforce; especially with its abundance of engineers and technicians. Forbes Magazine noted that Mexico is in the top 10 list of countries with the highest number of graduate engineers, outranking nations such as France and Vietnam, and only below tech powerhouses such as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
Data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment (ENOE) indicates that Mexico has more than 1.7 million engineers with more than 100,000 working directly in the automotive industry. That’s aside from the capacity to graduate 20,000 engineers per year.
Anticipating employer demands, universities across the nation have developed highly effective pipelines to connect students with the industrial sectors they are studying. Currently, there are more than 7,000 agreements between colleges and manufacturing companies that allow students to obtain first-hand experience in the industry of their choosing, while still attending classes. This level of preparation is key to developing high-quality engineers and technicians.
But the nation’s high prospects don’t end there.
In a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2015, Mexico ranked 8th for producing master’s degree, Ph.D., and post-Ph.D. graduates in Science and Technology related careers. This placed Mexico above Spain, Japan, Russia and Ireland, and only slightly below nations such as Korea, Germany, Sweden, Finland, France, and Greece.
The quality of the Mexican workforce can be seen at the Nissan plants in Aguascalientes and Cuernavaca, which are considered among the top three in quality production by Nissan’s corporate head office. The Ford plants in Hermosillo, Sonora, and General Motors located in Silao, Guanajuato, also occupy an important place in their corporate rankings due to their high manufacturing levels.
Scotiabank’s chief economist, Jean Francois Perrault, has stated, “In a world where skilled labor is scarce, Mexico is a gold mine. The best economic option for society would be, whether Mexican immigrants go to Canada or the United States, or Canadian and US companies invest more in Mexico.”
According to the Initial Quality StudySM study done by J.D. Power (2014), Mexican labor quality is among the best 15 in the world and is prepared to face the needs of growing industries. When coupled with its low operating costs, its proximity to the United States, its sophisticated supply chain for exports, and its various trade agreements, Mexico has become the ideal destination for investors looking to expand their manufacturing operations.
If you are looking to invest in Mexico and benefit from its excellent workforce, and other valuable resources, El Grande Group offers the services you need to succeed. Offering comprehensive and flexible manufacturing solutions for companies looking to operate in Mexico, let us optimize expenses and complete the legal procedures needed to start your business in just 90 days.