Equipping Women with Skills That Endure: Mindset Over Technology

Q: What drives Laboratoria and what are its objectives in Mexico?

A: Laboratoria is dedicated to unlocking the potential of women who face underemployment, informal work, or precarious job conditions across Latin America. We focus on providing high-quality employment in the digital economy, enabling women to significantly increase their income — often tripling it — while building economic independence, social capital, and sustainable career trajectories. Founded in Peru, Laboratoria quickly expanded to Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile, and operates in 11 countries entirely digitally.

Q: What factors contribute to the gender gap in the tech industry?

A: The gender gap arises from factors both inside and outside the labor market. Historically, women have shouldered a disproportionate percentage of unpaid labor at home, including childcare, eldercare, and household management, averaging four more hours per day than men. Structural factors in the labor market, such as limited representation in STEM education, cultural biases, and organizational practices, further exacerbate disparities. Fewer than 30% of entry-level and managerial roles in tech are held by women, and less than one in five leadership positions are occupied by women. Addressing this requires systemic change in both households and workplaces to create equitable opportunities.

Q: How can companies promote co-responsibility in care work and challenge traditional gender roles?

A: Companies play a key role in transforming care dynamics through policies and culture. Organizations must design policies encouraging men to take paternity leave and participate in family life. Data from our work with McKinsey shows that only one in four large companies has a transparent pay equity policy, and few offer extended parental leave. Beyond policy, visibility and role modeling by male leaders normalize shared responsibility.

Q: How does Laboratoria structure its programs for women entering or advancing in the workforce?

A: Our core program, “Activate Your Career,” begins with six weeks focused on self-confidence, career planning, and employability for women with eight to 10 years of experience, followed by six weeks of technical skill development, including data analysis and AI tools. Participants are supported by a strong alumni network offering mentorship and guidance. 

Philosopher Byung-Chul Han highlights how modern society often prioritizes productivity over reflection and personal well-being. In line with this, we strive to help women rediscover their value beyond job titles or productivity metrics. Over 35% of our graduates are the first in their families to complete higher education, often breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. While achieving stable employment is transformative, we also focus on helping women recognize their worth as individuals, not solely as workers. This human-centered approach reinforces resilience, purpose, and long-term fulfillment.

Q: How does Laboratoria ensure that skills remain relevant in a fast-changing, AI-driven environment?

A: We prioritize transversal skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability, over chasing the latest technology trends. Our mission is not to teach the latest programming language, but to equip women with the mindset and adaptability to keep learning continuously. Once participants master these foundational skills, we introduce practical modules with tools like ChatGPT, Figma, or no-code platforms. This ensures women are employable today and resilient to future shifts. Employers report that our graduates become indispensable, often mentoring others and creating a multiplier effect.

Q: How do you collaborate with companies to connect graduates with employment opportunities?

A: We partner with over 1,300 companies across Latin America. We identify active vacancies and ensure strong technical and cultural matches. We also co-create customized training programs that build talent pipelines, allowing companies to fill strategic roles efficiently. For example, in Colombia, we trained 20 women in CRM systems; seven were hired immediately after completing the program.

We also support companies in reskilling existing employees. According to the World Economic Forum, six out of 10 workers worldwide will require additional training by 2030. Our upskilling programs help employees develop new competencies that enable them to grow within their organizations, ensuring retention and long-term employability. Many of our participants seek stability and career progression, and we help companies maintain that engagement by keeping their people relevant in the face of rapid technological change.

Q: How does Laboratoria track long-term success and engagement?

A: Our primary tool is an annual census of graduates, monitoring employment, career advancement, and income growth. We also maintain close relationships with corporate partners, measure satisfaction, and conduct in-person events with 80–100 graduates to understand goals, job search status, and sentiment. This reflects our core values of care and engagement.

Our graduates often follow non-linear career paths — chefs becoming product managers, public sector employees moving into engineering, or humanities graduates adding data analysis skills. Our bootcamp participants average 28 years old, and our career acceleration program averages 32. Yet, the age range is broad, from 18 to over 60. Over 4,000 graduates across Latin America, including 1,000 in Mexico, have validated our methodology. Being part of Laboratoria means joining an active community that fosters social mobility, economic opportunity, and purpose-driven development. It is about growing as professionals and as individuals.

Q: How is AI impacting the workforce, particularly for women, and what trends are you observing in its adoption?

A: AI adoption is accelerating across industries, reshaping the workforce in significant ways. One in four jobs is at risk of automation, and women are three times more likely than men to occupy roles vulnerable to this shift, such as administrative, operational, or customer service positions. While some tasks will evolve rather than disappear, ensuring women gain relevant skills is critical to thriving in an AI-driven economy. According to a Get on Board study, job postings requiring AI-related skills grew from 6% in 2024 to 11% in 2025. AI is no longer limited to technical roles and is increasingly expected even in executive positions. Many companies remain unclear about what “using AI” entails, highlighting the urgent need for clear frameworks and digital upskilling strategies to prepare employees for these changes.

Q: What are Laboratoria’s expansion plans in Mexico and Latin America?

A: We aim to provide more employment opportunities across sectors, from tech to operational roles, including construction. We are pursuing partnerships with governments and universities to position Laboratoria as a leading employability program.

Laboratoria is a leading social enterprise with a presence across Latin America. It aims to create a more inclusive digital economy by addressing the gender gap in the technology sector.