In a major step toward aligning education with labor market demands, El Salvador’s National Training and Education Institute (INCAF) has trained over 10,000 people through its partnership with Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Tec by Google initiative. The program, active for just under a year, focuses on high-demand skills such as design thinking, agile project management, data handling, big data, English for tourism, and cloud architecture.
The training is delivered through two dedicated classrooms built to Tec de Monterrey standards, with capacity for 70 learners simultaneously. The in-person instruction is led by two Mexican trainers, and has included sessions taught by a Google expert, further strengthening the program’s technical depth.
According to Paola Machuca, president of INCAF, the agency’s mission goes beyond general training: “When INCAF was founded, one of the president’s key requests was to stop training for the sake of training and begin transforming Salvadoran talent.” The team consulted with multiple business sectors to identify skill gaps and designed the curriculum accordingly—prioritizing tourism and technology.
These training efforts have also been extended to remote communities through the Urban Centers for Well-being and Opportunities (CUBO). Feedback collected through satisfaction surveys indicates a positive reception, with plans to double the number of trainees in 2026. The next strategic focus includes AI education tailored to specific sectors and use cases.
INCAF’s approach is data-driven. The institute created the country’s first Labor Demand Survey (ENDEL), collecting insights from over 900 companies and trade unions. This instrument is now used to shape course offerings by analyzing vacancy types and unmet skill requirements.
The institution operates across four key areas:
- Private sector-driven training
- Certification programs based on competency standards (e.g., restaurant service and early childhood care)
- Labor market intelligence, analyzing employment trends
- Labor market connectivity, linking job seekers to first-job opportunities and skills development.
To date, over 45,000 Salvadorans have participated in INCAF programs, positioning the institute as a pivotal player in the country’s workforce development strategy.