The lack of human capital training has become one of the main bottlenecks for the manufacturing industry in Mexico, particularly among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), warned Claudia Valdés, director of Expo Manufactura , who cautioned that inequality in access to technical training and maintenance is directly impacting the competitiveness, productivity and growth capacity of the sector.
He explained that there is a significant gap in training levels depending on company size. While around 81% of large companies train their staff, only 3.7% of micro-enterprises do so, and in the case of SMEs, the percentage is around 44% .
This disparity, he said, has contributed to a talent shortage that has been accumulating over the past 15 years and that today limits the performance of up to seven out of every 10 manufacturing companies in the country.
“The lack of training not only affects the staff, it also translates into poor management of machinery maintenance. It’s like not servicing a piece of equipment: the problem isn’t always immediately apparent, but when it appears, the impact can be in the millions,” he pointed out.
Underestimating training has direct consequences for operations. Line stoppages, bottlenecks, missed deliveries, overtime, and unexpected machinery failures are some of the most common costs faced by companies that don’t invest in technical training or predictive maintenance.
Valdés explained that many companies continue to rely on corrective maintenance schemes , which are much more expensive than prevention supported by digital tools and constant monitoring.
“It’s not about the failure existing today, but about detecting in time one that could occur in one or two years. Avoiding that problem is what makes the difference,” he pointed out.
These operational risks are compounded by strategic costs: the loss of business opportunities, the inability to take on new projects, and the breach of contracts, factors that directly affect the reputation and financial viability of companies.
While Mexican manufacturing showed strong growth at the beginning of 2025, exceeding 20%, the pace slowed toward the end of the year, not surpassing 3% or 4%, according to the event’s outlook. This slowdown, Valdés explained, is linked to trade uncertainty with the United States, tariff issues, and the lack of clear definitions surrounding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which has led many companies to adopt a “wait and see” approach .
At the same time, the industry is facing a talent shortage . The rapid growth of previous years absorbed a large portion of the available skills, and today there is a need to attract more people interested in joining the manufacturing sector to meet existing demand.
The director of Expo Manufactura sent a message to industry leaders: “The cost of not training today is too high, and opportunities don’t always come around . ”
“Losing projects or being unable to deliver due to a lack of training would be a great shame for companies,” he warned.
Expo Manufactura will take place from February 3 to 5 at Cintermex , Monterrey, Nuevo León, with free registration and access, as part of its commitment to strengthening talent and competitiveness in manufacturing in Mexico.
Comment and follow us on X: @jenna_GH_ / @GrupoT21
