Skyworks, Qualcomm Boost Baja California Semiconductor Leadership

The state of Baja California is solidifying its role as a national leader in semiconductor talent development through a collaborative model that unites government, academia, and global industry players with the help of Skyworks and Qualcomm.

The announcement came during the 1st Annual Meeting on Curriculum Update, Digital Learning, and Micro-Credentials for Upper Secondary and Higher Education under the Mexico Plan for the Semiconductor Industry, where Minister of Economy and Innovation Kurt Honold Morales highlighted the state as a successful example in preparing skilled human capital for this strategic sector.

“Following the state’s economic strategy, talent is the engine that drives us toward a future with better opportunities for human capital, which is why we promote programs in a collaborative framework,” Honold said.

Developing Talent for the Semiconductor Industry

During the panel, titled Baja California Success Story, experts discussed how the region has established more than 20 academic and technological training programs aligned with the semiconductor industry’s needs.

Panel participants included Dulce Rodríguez, Director of Innovation and Technology at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation; Luis Solís, Regional HR Director, Skyworks; Mario Alberto Curiel, Director of the Engineering Institute, UABC; and Miguel Muñoz, Semiconductor Coordinator, DGETI Baja California.

Highlighted programs include technical careers, engineering degrees, postgraduate studies, innovation centers, and certifications offered by institutions such as CETYS, UTT, CICESE, UABC, CNyN UNAM, UPBC, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Conalep, and DGETIs.

Industry Partners Drive Advanced Training

The initiative integrates high-tech certifications in collaboration with UABC, Infineon, Skyworks, and Qualcomm, alongside specialized English certifications, teacher training programs with Arizona State University, Santander Universidades, and Semi Foundation.

These efforts have positioned Baja California as a key hub for developing specialized semiconductor talent, strengthening Mexico’s competitiveness in high-tech industries and contributing to national economic growth.

Not only is Baja California an important region for the semiconductor industry, but also in recent times, the state of Puebla has emerged as a leading entity for semiconductors.

MBN reported that Puebla is positioning itself as a national hub for semiconductors, AI and advanced manufacturing, with more than MX$2.1 billion (US$125 million) in committed investments, according to Mexico’s Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. Puebla’s Development Hub has secured projects expected to generate 5,150 direct and indirect jobs through the participation of domestic and international companies in strategic industries.

The first firms to join the cluster include Energain de México (Motores Limpios), SACWA, Paysa Foods, Hartmann & Moldpak, and Estructuras Metálicas. Their investments strengthen Puebla’s industrial position in electromobility, food processing, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Ebrard highlighted Mexico’s growing innovation capacity, pointing to the development of a Mexican-made electric motor through collaboration between Conacyt, UNAM, IPN, and private companies. “This project strengthens our competitiveness as an automotive power,” he said.

Mexico is also betting on AI, with plans to launch the first Spanish-language AI model in November. In biotechnology, Ebrard emphasized advances in CAR T-cell immunotherapies, which could reduce healthcare costs while saving lives. Regarding semiconductors, Puebla marks a precedent with the start of national design capabilities, a move officials call historic for diversifying Mexico’s industrial base.

“Puebla will be a reference point for investment, with the capacity to attract more companies and expand its industrial footprint,” Ebrard said, citing collaboration among business, academia and government.