Women are the 30% of the workforce in Querétaro’s aeronautical sector

Currently, in the aeronautical industry, women account for 30% (4,500) of the direct jobs generated by the sector in the state of Querétaro, according to Jatziri Barrios, president of the state’s Aerocluster.

The specialist explained that women’s contributions are expanding into various fields, such as technicians, meteorologists, engineers, and executives, among others.

“Women’s participation has grown; we are very proud to say that women make up 30% of our workforce and are represented at various levels—including operational levels, senior technical positions, inspectors, metrologists, engineers, and even in leadership roles within the industry,” she stated.

The cluster has active strategies to promote women's participation, for example, through the triple helix model, which connects industry, academia, and government.

“I believe it’s a matter of fostering a culture of collaboration within the triple helix model, supported by the Ministry of Labor (…) Working with industry and academy on programs to attract talent, on talent development programs, and on programs designed to help young women learn about and explore the industry,” she explained.

Similarly, it also depends on the state agencies that coordinate the “Nosotras en la Ciencia” program, which introduces female students to science, technology, and mathematics (STEM).

“Companies visit high schools, talk to the girls, and invite them to visit the companies, to get to know them, to learn what aeronautics is, and to realize that there’s a place for them there—and the truth is that this really motivates our girls and young women to become part of the sector,” she said.

An example of women's inclusion can be seen in the leadership of the aerospace cluster, which is led by women in both the presidency and the executive management.