Mexico's T-MEC future depends on developing skilled workforce

Pedro Haces Barba, president of the Special Commission for Monitoring the USMCA (T‑MEC) in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies, said the country's main competitive edge over the next decade will lie in its ability to train talent rather than in tariff negotiations. After meeting with Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, he urged a national strategy to strengthen technical education, certification and continuous upskilling to meet demands from artificial intelligence, automation and digitalization.

Haces cited World Economic Forum forecasts that many job skills will change before 2030 and argued that sectors such as advanced manufacturing, AI, semiconductors, data‑centers and smart logistics will require a highly qualified workforce. He called for coordinated dialogue among government, industry, universities and workers to build an agenda that mirrors successful models in Bavaria, Austin, Toyota City and Taiwan.