UK Programme Boosts Green Skills and Women in STEM in Mexico
Mexico’s job market is crying out for green skills. But the spread of green tech jobs is outpacing the supply of qualified graduates. The UK’s Skills for Prosperity Mexico Programme (SFPMX) is stepping in to close the gap — and give women a stronger foothold in STEM.
Green Tech Jobs Growing, But Skills Lag Behind
The demand for green technology roles in Mexico has surged 8% annually over the past five years. Meanwhile, the number of graduates with relevant skills has grown just 6%. Many Mexican universities and schools aren’t tailoring courses to green industry needs, leaving employers struggling to find the right candidates.
Worryingly, women remain underrepresented. Only 4.5 women study STEM subjects for every 10 men across Mexican universities and technical schools.
UK Programme Transforms Training and Boosts Women’s Representation
SFPMX partners with 16 universities and technical schools in Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Puebla, Jalisco, and Yucatan. The programme reshapes curricula, aligns training with the job market, and trains teachers in green technologies.
- Students learn to build and manage solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
- Courses cover energy-saving tech for manufacturing and electric vehicle industries.
- English lessons focus specifically on green tech terminology.
- Gender equality workshops tackle discrimination and gender-based violence.
Over 3,000 educators have received training, benefiting more than 12,500 students nationwide.
Positive Impact on Teachers and Students
“Previously, we only had enough equipment to practice basic solar power setups. Now, I teach students how to measure energy efficiency, monitor solar cell performance, and calculate carbon emission reductions,” says José Alfredo Casillas Ortega, professor at Paso del Norte Technological University.
Itzel Enríquez, professor at the Technological University of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, adds: “Technical trainings outside my home state at top-notch facilities motivate me to keep learning and improve as a professor.”
In December 2022, a major training event at Chihuahua’s Technological Training Centre brought together students and staff for hands-on lessons in energy-efficient power generation, complemented by industry site visits.
Setting Students Up for Success
A vital piece of SFPMX’s success is its collaboration between education providers and employers. Students get coaching on CV writing, interview skills, job searching, and career talks with business partners. This focuses on easing their entry into Mexico’s green job market.
Though the programme wraps up in March 2023, it leaves a lasting legacy. Teachers are armed with new skills, and green tech training is now better matched to industry demands. Importantly, SFPMX is helping bridge employment gaps, boost green careers, and promote women’s participation in STEM across Mexico.
