Since General Motors commenced automobile production near the Silao-Guanajuato highway in 1995, the automotive and auto parts industry in the central Mexican state has witnessed unparalleled growth.

Guanajuato has evolved into the country’s primary producer of auto parts and consistently ranks among the top three states in manufacturing these crucial components, according to the Automotive Alliance report, citing data from the National Auto Parts Industry. Furthermore, it stands as one of the leading contributors to the nation’s GDP, as reported by the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI). This has triggered a shift in the professional needs of the industrial sector in the region, offering a developmental opportunity for the future.

According to Data México, the majority of the state’s sales in 2021 were attributed to the automotive industry, accounting for 48.7% of the total. This underscores the sector’s significance for the region, with major contributions from:

The industrial park in Guanajuato continues to expand, largely fueled by the activity of the El Bajío automotive cluster, of which the state is an integral part. Its geographical location and the manufacturing of auto parts have made it indispensable to the cluster.

However, sustaining this momentum requires a skilled workforce, demanding that higher education institutions in the state adapt to market demands.

Automotive Manufacturing Giants in Guanajuato

Various car manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers have established facilities in the state. Notable automotive manufacturers include:

• General Motors
• Honda
• Toyota
• Mazda
• Volkswagen

A Necessary Shift Towards Engineering

The recent confirmation, especially over the last 3 or 4 years, that the industrial sector in Guanajuato is driven by the manufacturing of automobiles and auto parts necessitates that higher education institutions in the state focus their efforts on expanding academic offerings in engineering and industry-related activities. This aims to create a better alignment between the demand for professionals and the available workforce.

Data from 2021 regarding the University of Guanajuato indicates that approximately 24% of students from the institution graduated in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and construction. Meanwhile, areas such as administration, business, and health sciences were among the most sought-after.

The arrival of automotive companies and the growth of the sector in the region since the mid-2010s have led to a variation in the needs of professional labor.

According to the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA), the presence of railway transport providers (Ferromex and Kansas City Southern) has been a differentiating factor for the growth of automakers in recent years. This is because they offer the ability to mobilize raw materials and finished products.

The same association indicated that the industry requires professionals for machining, forging, casting, plastic injection, stamping, molds, and tooling (machinery).

Furthermore, the existence of significant universities in different cities of the state stimulates educational offerings and adaptation to industry requirements. Notable institutions include:

• National School of Higher Studies of UNAM
• University of Guanajuato
• National Polytechnic Institute
• Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education
• Ibero-American University
• La Salle University

Manufacturing and Commerce: Pillars of the State

Guanajuato’s unemployment rate is 3.36%, according to the 2022 National Occupation and Employment Survey by INEGI.

In the state, the economically active population amounts to 2,806,638 people. From this figure, 26% of workers are engaged in manufacturing, and 20.1% are in commerce, forming the most crucial sectors for the state’s economic activity in terms of employment.

It is worth noting that there is a 44.4% formality rate in the labor sector, a percentage similar to the overall result for Mexico, which is 44.8%. Regarding formal employment, the worker profile includes:

• 38.5% salaried workers
• 2.7% employers
• 32% self-employed

Evolving Educational Landscape

The increasingly significant growth of the automotive industry has prompted a transformation in the educational offerings of universities in the state, with a notable emphasis on the field of engineering.

The spectrum of engineering options has not only broadened but also extended to areas of administration and management crucial for the industry to achieve its objectives.

In line with this demand, engineering careers have gained prominence among the highest-paying professions, with Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering, followed by the field of Electricity and Power Generation, surpassing other studies such as Law and Architecture in the classification of well-paying careers in the state, according to Union Guanajuato data available for 2017.

Top-Paying Careers in Guanajuato

• Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering
• Electricity and Power Generation
• Architecture and Urbanism
• Medicine
• Law
• Accounting and Auditing
• Industrial, Mechanical, and Electronic Engineering
• Construction and Civil Engineering

The academic offerings of bachelor’s degrees in the state have also increased in areas such as Biomedicine, Materials Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, which are part of the offerings of ENES-UNAM and the University of Guanajuato.

At LCA, we are dedicated to Mexico’s future, the industrial park in Guanajuato, and the development of the country’s primary industrial centers. Therefore, it is essential to consider the training and preparation of professionals capable of driving the growth of the nation’s key business areas. Learn more about our activities and tell us about your project.