3.2 Employability Outcomes and Formal Labor Access Across Dual Training Schemes
The reconfiguration of North American supply chains has established Mexico as a pivotal destination for advanced manufacturing investments, particularly across machinery, electronics, and automotive components [7]. This industrial expansion elevates the strategic relevance of dual technical education models designed to bridge theoretical classroom instruction with intensive workplace training [1]. However, secondary empirical evidence demonstrates that the conversion of dual apprenticeships into stable, formal employment is contingent upon sectoral specialization and curriculum relevance [1], [7]. Technical disciplines such as electricity and electronics exhibit substantially higher rates of formal labor absorption and social security coverage relative to transportation and general service sectors [1]. This divergence suggests that nearshoring-driven industrial demand does not uniformly absorb technical labor; rather, it prioritizes advanced technical proficiencies aligned with capital-intensive manufacturing processes [7]. Furthermore, the provision of supplemental specialized competencies, including advanced language proficiency and targeted technical modules, significantly strengthens post-graduation formalization [1]. Institutional arrangements that extend training duration and incorporate firm-specific production standards foster greater retention within host manufacturing enterprises [1]. Consequently, realizing the full developmental potential of supply chain relocation necessitates coordinated institutional interventions that eliminate curriculum misalignments and promote equitable access to high-demand technical specializations [1], [7].