As Mexico’s technology sector grows at a rapid pace, some firms are finding it hard to employ enough professionals they require.

According to Jorge Buitron Arreola Soria, President of the National Council of Information Technology Clusters, there is fewer talent to choose from for companies in the technology sector, particularly for software design, 3D printing, and Internet of Things (IoT). His comment, made during the 5th international ICT Conference held in Querétaro, was reported by ciudadypoder.com

Each IT project in the country is finding a shortage of between 100 and 500 engineers, he added. Analysts often blame the shortage on less number of students graduating in information technology from universities.

According to an analysis of Mexico’s IT challenges, conducted by The Scientific and Technological Consultative Forum, nearly 300,000 students enroll in technology schools every year but a large majority of them drop out half way through. Nonetheless, says a study by Nearshore Americas, Mexico’s universities regularly graduate more than 100,000 engineers each year.

Technology firms operating in the country have not been hurt much. That’s because many firms run in-house training programs to help their new recruits hone their skills. Cisco, for example, picks up students with skills in math and science and then trains them in the job. Companies like TCS have brought in international workers to supplement the local talent.

To keep pace with the growth in the technology sector and to strengthen the pipeline of local talent, universities may have to modify their curriculum and produce graduates equipped to work in the sector. And government can offer incentives to firms retraining engineers and other professionals.