Dual vocational training supports young people and companies

Project description

Project title: Consolidation and Expansion of the Mexican System of Dual Vocational Training
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Mexico
Lead executing agency: Mexican Ministry of Education
Overall term: 2020 to 2022

Context

Mexico, an emerging economy, has a burgeoning modern industrial and service sector and is strongly geared towards the export market. In both quantitative and qualitative terms, however, its vocational training system is currently unable to meet the increasing demand for skilled workers arising from the country's rapid economic growth. 

The predecessor project, which finished in December 2019, applied the dual vocational training system in Mexico in exemplary fashion. The progress that it achieved helped to make the Mexican private sector more competitive. The dual vocational training system is also increasing demand for qualified staff and promoting youth employment.

The current project is now focusing on rolling out the dual vocational training system to other industries and federal states, concentrating on improving the quality of the approaches developed and mainstreaming the model at institutional level. The project places particular importance on the use of digital solutions, with VR-based learning sequences already having been developed for tourism colleges. Another aim is to further increase the levels of female participation through events such as the ‘Girl’s Day’.

Objective

More young people and companies in Mexico are benefiting from a dual vocational training system that meets the needs of the labour market.

Approach

The approach is targeting three different levels. Firstly, there are plans for measures involving the private sector, policy-makers and civil society. Secondly, organisations are to be involved, and, thirdly, work is also to be carried out with the training staff. This approach will ensure high-quality training courses and increase the acceptance of dual vocational training by companies and in Mexican society.

The project’s target groups are young people and young adults from a higher technical secondary school, the National College of Professional Technical Education CONALEP, and other executing agencies. No fewer than 30,000 trainees throughout the country are set to benefit from the measures by 2022.

The project's partners are the Mexican Ministry of Education and vocational schools that it oversees. There are also partnerships with the private sector, such as the Mexican Employers' Association COPARMEX and other trade associations that support the expansion of dual vocational training. 

Companies can also participate directly in expanding inter-company training structures and in further training. In addition, the project is promoting the development of research resources to develop educational models for vocational training, which is intended to enhance the skills of everyone involved. This will be done, for example, through initial training and continuing professional development for vocational training staff such as in-company trainers and teachers and management staff of vocational schools.

Results

There are currently 3,795 young people in ten different occupations participating in the dual training system in Mexico. Around 40 per cent of them are female.