Vocational guidance faces challenges from STEM gender gaps and AI

Educational and vocational guidance is facing new challenges due to gender disparities in STEM fields and the rapid evolution of the labor market driven by artificial intelligence.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, an OECD report based on PISA 2022 data shows that only 14% of 15-year-old girls expect to work in STEM occupations, compared to 26% of boys. In Peru, this gap exceeds 15 percentage points. Experts suggest that vocational orientation should begin during secondary school, encouraging families to help students explore interests through practical experiences and workshops to avoid gender stereotypes.

Simultaneously, the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping professional landscapes. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs report, 170 million jobs are expected to be created globally by 2030, while 92 million may disappear. Furthermore, approximately 39% of core skills required by employers are projected to change within that timeframe, leading to increased uncertainty among students regarding the long-term viability of their chosen career paths.