Mexico will need more than 100,000 aerospace specialists by 2030

In five years, Mexico will need just over 100,000 specialists linked to the aeronautics and space industry, revealed Federico Pérez Fuentes, president of the Mexican Council for Aerospace Education (COMEA).

This figure was taken from a study conducted by more than 70 experts from 30 higher education institutions focused on these sectors, with the aim of strengthening the necessary actions and implementing others in order to reach the projected number.

The head of COMEA commented that although the country has a strong position globally, within the Top 10, the lack of specialists is a constant problem that haunts them everywhere.

“The need (for qualified personnel) is great. In any forum we attend, whether it is FAMEX or an international fair, the expression of the sector is the same: there is a lack of specialized people for the aerospace sector,” said Pérez Fuentes in a webinar held by the Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry (FEMIA).

Of the 105,266 specialists that will be needed within five years, 84,084 (78.9%) are in the manufacturing area (engineers, technicians, and operators).

“In the training of specialized technicians, operators for manufacturing or maintenance, the deficit is large, and we need more specific initiatives to be able to meet those needs,” said the executive.

Air operations (pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance) with 14,703 specialists also appeared in the study as the second area with the greatest need to be filled by 2030.

Maintenance, repairs, and operations (MRO) is another sector that will require additional personnel, in this case some 5,469 specialists, and finally, engineering services will need 983 people within five years.

In terms of academia, the study found that there are currently 11,044 students enrolled in institutions linked to the aerospace industry, from advanced technical degrees (TSU) to doctorates, and by 2030, this figure is expected to rise to 15,849 students.