In the framework of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Fundemex , the social arm of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) , the  panel Challenges and alliances to promote employment and shared prosperity was held . Business leaders and representatives of key sectors discussed the challenges and opportunities that Mexico faces to promote innovation, labor inclusion and sustainable economic development.

In this space,  Teresa Gutiérrez, CEO of Tesla Mexico , began her participation by highlighting the importance of innovation as a central axis for economic growth ; however, she noted that Mexico’s potential in this area is far from being fully exploited.

“We are the 12th largest economy in the world, but we are ranked 58th in terms of innovation. This speaks to an urgent need to invest more in this area,” he said.

Gutiérrez also stressed that personalization and the use of data are essential in interacting with consumers.

“Data is the new gold, and companies must learn to take advantage of it. To do this, we need skilled talent. Today, the best is barely good enough,” he said.

Monica Flores, president of ManpowerGroup , described as shameful the fact that more than 50% of jobs in Mexico belong to the informal sector.

In his view, tackling this problem requires a multi-factor approach that includes education, certifications and regional strategies.

“Reducing informality is not a technical problem, but rather a problem of will. We have little time to act, but with continuous training, certifications and a focus on digital skills, we can achieve significant change,” he said.

Flores pointed out that the future of employment depends not only on technical knowledge, but also on soft skills and the ability to adapt to a globalized market.

For her part, Altagracia Gómez, coordinator of the Advisory Council for Regional Development and Business Relocation, addressed the importance of inclusion in financing and the need to attract foreign investment, without neglecting national investment.

“If we want a more inclusive capital market, we must break down traditional barriers, especially for women and small businesses. This requires not only will, but also clear and sustainable metrics,” she explained.

Gómez also stressed the importance of promoting energy efficiency measures and dual education programs that link academia, government and business.

Finally, Julio Carranza, president of the Mexican Banking Association (ABM) , stressed that financial inclusion is essential for economic development. However, he pointed out that 50% of transactions under 500 pesos in Mexico are still made in cash, which limits the digitalization and formalization of the economy.

“We are concerned about attracting foreign investment, but we forget that national investment is 11 times greater. That is where we must focus our efforts to foster growth,” said Carranza.

The banking leader also highlighted the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Mexican economy, noting that their strengthening is key to combating informality and promoting more equitable prosperity.

Two decades of promoting a more just and equitable Mexico

On November 20, Fundemex , the social arm of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) , commemorated two decades of tireless work to build a more just and equitable Mexico.

“Today we are not only celebrating the achievements of these 20 years, but we are also renewing our commitment to continue transforming lives and communities with the power of the business sector,” said Jorge López, President of the Board of Directors of Fundemex.

Since its founding, Fundemex has worked to connect the country’s social needs with the dynamism of the business sector , channeling resources towards high-impact projects.

In 2022, the organization adopted new approaches that strengthened its mission, such as flagship initiatives such as Transformative Employment , Emplea Diversidad , among others.

The event also highlighted the importance of great results when companies commit to social causes.

An important pillar of Fundemex has been its ability to articulate strategic alliances between companies, communities, civil society and government .

These alliances have made it possible to address local problems with effective solutions , including training programs for vulnerable groups, employment initiatives and regional development projects.

During the celebration, Luis Miguel Pando, Rolando Vega, Alberto Núñez and Martha Smith were recognized for their outstanding work throughout Fundemex’s 20 years.

“The unequal and disproportionate generation of wealth has been a call to find a way to reverse this trend; there are many challenges and opportunities to do so. Mexico has an economy open to the world and an active community, and industry has an important role in the change,” said Martha Smith, founder and advisor of Fundemex.

Comment and follow us on X: @jenna_GH_ / @GrupoT21

El cargo THE CHALLENGE OF LABOR INCLUSION, PROSPERITY AND INNOVATION IN MEXICO; FUNDEMEX CELEBRATES 20 YEARS apareció primero en T21.

In the chemical industry, teaching new prospects and developing the workforce has made great strides towards having a qualified workforce , so it is important to develop curricula in accordance with new trends in the sector, such as dual education and disciplines in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as STEM .

In the Talent Development and Workforce Trends session , within the framework of the LVI National Chemical Industry Forum , Fernanda González , head of Learning and Development Mexico & Central America/head of Professional Education Latam at Siemens , highlighted the dual training model, which is implemented in that company, which has allowed them to retain and attract the best talent .

To date, they have more than 300 apprentices and 11 courses offered, most of them in STEM sectors.

He stressed that the programs last from one and a half to two years and that at the end, students respond to changing trends.

González stressed that this model, which helps to foster a culture of innovation and ingenuity, has a structure that ensures the training of students by combining theory and practice , and in which the business community, academia and the student are involved.

At the event organized by the National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) , Andreas Müller , deputy director general of the Mexican-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Camexa) , said that the dual model is used in Germany to link academia with industry so that students can develop their professional skills in a company.

Saving training costs, selecting the best students and ensuring the availability of qualified personnel in the long term, among others, are some of the reasons why companies participate in this educational model, he said.

For her part, Guadalupe Silva , former director of the Higher School of Chemical Engineering and Extractive Industries (ESIQIE) of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) , highlighted the interest of students in the chemical industry, and stressed that there is a significant number of women working in chemical engineering .

Industry 4.0, which involves the digitalization of equipment and systems and the use of technology such as big data , will impact the training of future chemical professionals with comprehensive and complementary education, Silva said.

Gabriela Martínez , rector of the Technological University of Mexico (Unitec) , indicated that trends in higher education in Mexico are diversifying academic programs , so it is important to promote STEM careers to take advantage of the relocation of companies in the country ( nearshoring ).

The connection with the productive sector is important so that the student graduates with knowledge of the industry in which he will work, Martínez stated in his participation.

In turn, Salvador Reyes , Vice President of Human Resources for Mondelēz Snacking de México , spoke about the development of the talent that collaborates in this company.

Having a culture of well-being and fostering a connection with employees is necessary to properly run a company’s operations , added Reyes, who also highlighted various projects they carry out, such as Mondeleads , which is an accelerated learning and training program that he described as a breeding ground for future leaders .

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that by 2050, 90% of jobs will be related to STEM skills , despite this, only 16.5% of graduate students in Mexico are being trained in these disciplines, revealed a study by Structuralia , an online school in that sector.

Given this situation, it is necessary to encourage students to train in these disciplines , which are currently among the most valued and best paid in the labor market.

Comment and follow us on X:@Eliseosfield / @GrupoT21

El cargo Dual education and STEM disciplines to train new chemical professionals apareció primero en T21.