Philip Stoten sits down with Lorena Villanueva, who leads Mexico for the Global Electronics Association, to unpack a practical blueprint: align government incentives, open university doors, and certify talent where hiring happens in this critical geography for the EMS industry.
The conversation starts with a clear shift in strategy after a major rebrand—more resources and attention flow into Mexico, and the results show up in local programs that train hundreds at a time in Guadalajara and Guanajuato. We dig into the three-helix model that guides the work: government, academia, and industry moving in step. You’ll hear how Education Weeks and Electronics Days translate into portable certifications that employers trust; how universities like UNAM and the Technological University of Querétaro are joining the association, updating curricula, and letting companies train on campus; and how factories reciprocate by bringing students to SMT lines for hands-on learning.
With regional incentives shaping outcomes, the team brings multiple state governments—and soon federal representation—into the room at major trade shows, expanding the Mexico Pavilion and turning policy curiosity into concrete collaboration.
The takeaway is simple and powerful: nearshoring isn’t magic. It’s the compound effect of standard-aligned training, open institutions, and trusted convening that shortens the distance between classroom, line, and market.
EMS@C-Level is hosted by global inspection leaders Koh Young (https://www.kohyoung.com) and Global Electronics Association (https://www.electronics.org)
