Finding Mexico's Future Talent

Q: What role does Kelly Services play in the transformation of the Mexican labor market?

A: Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and the digital revolution demand the market provide flexibility and personalization. These two needs are associated with productivity, competitiveness, cost and quality products and services. Kelly Services inserts itself perfectly into this dynamic. We can help companies by allowing them flexibility and personalization when it comes to the talent they need.

Q: What specific needs do companies in Mexico have regarding human resources?

A: The most important thing is talent generation. The reforms the government made are important investments and job generators and as a country we must do what we can to supply the needed talent. Around 50 percent of people employed are in a position that does not match their profile. Solving this problem is a joint responsibility between companies like Kelly Services and public institutions, that interprets the industry needs and tries to create synergies between universities and the government.

Q: What changes does the digital revolution and I4.0 entail for the Mexican labor force?

A: It is undeniable that the economic engines of any country are technology innovation and the generation of scientific knowledge. These two engines depend heavily on the quality of human capital. The fourth industrial revolution we are living will completely change our view of what work, talent and companies look like. Taking into consideration these three variables, it is unavoidable that business models will change and different business models will require different professions.

What will prevail in the future will be networks, made up of people but empowered by organizations. This will lead to hyperconnected organizations. This hyperconnection will be related to the management of collective talent, where trust, collaboration and transparency will become the most important values in organizations. The most important productive future element in this digital revolution will be the people.

Q: How will countries deal with the work displacement that I4.0 will generate among low-skilled workers?

A: The change we are bound to experience will demand different skills from people. The WEF states that in the world’s 15 most developed countries, more than 7 million jobs will disappear in the next five years due to automation and digitalization. In the next 20 years, at a global level a total of 2 billion jobs will disappear due to this fourth revolution. Alongside the demand for new skills and abilities, new professions will appear. The development of scientific knowledge and technology innovation will demand that countries focus their efforts on generating talent with innovation skills, scientists and engineers. For this reason, it is vital that countries, including Mexico, understand what the future will bring and how they can develop their talent and human capital.

According to a study by McKinsey’s Global Institute, up to 25 million jobs in Mexico will disappear as a result of the fourth industrial revolution. These jobs will mainly be those associated with retail trade, manufacturing, agricultural and construction activities. That is why we have to focus on generating knowledge. The countries that will make a difference are those that not only acquire knowledge but develop knowledge.

While it is true that Industry 4.0 will generate work displacement. Mexico is in a different situation. It has a young workforce and in this regard, education becomes a centerpiece. Universities are in charge of cultivating knowledge and organizations are in charge of generating a consciousness of continuous learning and training.