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Mexico a Key Player in the Development of IT Talent

By João Nunes - PageGroup
Managing Director-Head of Strategic Markets Latam

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João Nunes By João Nunes | Managing Director-Head of Strategic Markets Latam - Thu, 06/30/2022 - 15:00

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Technological talent continues to catch the attention of specialists in human capital around the world, since many companies are entering the digital landscape, fueling their need for specialized profiles to help them in their transformation process.

A few years ago, there was greater caution about investing in Latin America and the only gateway to the world of technology was through Silicon Valley, but this is no longer the case. The boom of models like the nearshoring of US companies in Latin American countries has developed an external demand for talent in addition to internal demand.

According to the report, “Talento TI: Competitividad STEM en América Latina” (IT Talent: STEM Competitiveness in Latin America), by Invest in Bogota and Technology by PageGroup, the big technology builders are consuming a lot of talent in Latin America. It is even estimated that in the next three years, at least 3.5 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) professionals will be in demand in the region.

Mexico’s role in IT talent development

However, amid this growing demand for technological profiles, Mexico is assumed to be a key player in the midst of a technological revolution. There are several factors behind this:

1. Geographical location makes it a strategic ally. It is the bridge that connects Latin American countries with North America and vice versa. In addition, trade agreements like the USMCA help underpin this type of service from Mexico.

2. Experience in specialized training. According to the OECD, by 2030, 80 percent of the jobs we know now will be replaced by automation and the need for specialized profiles is already a priority in the labor market. Considering these two facts, companies can be trainers of technologically specialized talent as they have done for other industries in the past.

3. Adaptability to new technologies. Accelerated digital transformation forces businesses to jump on board, those who do not know how to quickly adapt to market changes will be left behind. There is great adaptation in Mexico to new technologies and the digital world, as is happening now with 5G, for example.

4. Strong demand for IT talent from the US. It is undeniable that the search for the best talent drives companies to be more competitive as employer brands and that the dollarization of the Mexican IT labor market allows a greater approach to meet US demand.

5. Open to labor flexibility. It is a reality that home office is a trend and hybrid work models are here to stay. Unlike other areas of knowledge, those related to the field of technology are the most likely to work remotely, given the nature of their functions. According to PageGroup’s “Estudio de Remuneración 2022” (Remuneration Study 2022), 44 percent of Mexican employees who answered the survey said they work under a hybrid model and 28 percent work completely from home. It’s interesting to mention that 44 percent say they feel more productive today under any of these two models, giving Mexico a great opportunity for the future.

Development Opportunities

The pandemic taught us to use digital channels for many functions that we did not see before and Mexico has unique characteristics that, if developed well, can help turn it into a technological power, starting with its human capital.

There is also a genuine interest from our neighboring country to the north to invest in and develop Mexican talent in the field of technology, especially in the context of a shortage of these profiles that are very attractive and necessary for companies all over the world.

This reality allows national talent to be trained in foreign companies, while contributing to the local market, but without the need to leave their place of origin. In general terms, I would say that companies are at a key moment regarding diversity and inclusion within their workforces.

As a country, Mexico has a great opportunity to develop entire communities and help fight social inequalities by pushing digital talent as we have seen in other industries in the past, drawing trained and better qualified talent from communities all around the country.

Opportunities are there. Let’s work to find and prepare the best IT talent.

Photo by:   João Nunes

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