Despite being a major hub for the energy sector, Mexico has one of the highest proportions of young people not in education, employment or training in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). At Penspen, we recognise that the energy transition is powered by people, so we’re committed to investing in future energy talent. In this Our People feature, we hear from recent graduates of the Youth Building the Future program, and the importance of having the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
Our People are shaping the future of energy – and that’s why we’re working with communities worldwide and encouraging the next generation of talent across our global teams.
At our Villahermosa, Mexico base, we’ve developed a partnership with the Government of Mexico, to offer a clear pathway for young people to learn, develop and have their talents recognised through a real-world, structured program.
The Youth Building the Future program, run by the Government of Mexico’s Ministry of Labor and Social Security, is designed to offer young people key opportunities and support that both promote social inclusion and improve employment prospects.
As proud supporters of the program, Penspen have invested in the growth and development of twelve participants of the program to date. Having opened applications for our next five candidates from the Youth Building the Future program, we caught up with some of our latest cohort – Jan Cavalaro, Viridiana Zapata and Eduardo Hernandez – who have now progressed into permanent roles with Penspen, to see how they’re making a difference in the world of energy.
Jan started his journey with Penspen in December 2023 through the Youth Building the Future program as an intern in the integrity service line and has progressed into a new role as a Graduate Mechatronics Engineer. Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field, combining mechanical and electronic engineering to make smarter, more efficient systems. It’s an exciting and highly technical discipline at the forefront of the drive towards greater automation.
“It’s those details that remind you that young people truly are the future, and that Penspen are genuinely committed to the communities where we work. It’s special.”
Mariana Jiménez, Human Resources Manager (LATAM)
“I knew immediately from my university classes in engineering design and calculations that mechatronics was what I wanted to specialise in,” said Jan. “It’s incredibly relevant and important to the future of engineering, and since joining Penspen, I’ve learned how it can be used to meet crucial design criteria and construction specifications for pipelines that keep the energy sector thriving.”
On the day that Jan signed his first permanent contract with Penspen – a big milestone – he was very nervous, says Mariana Jiménez, Human Resources Manager (LATAM).
“After I helped him to calm his nerves, he asked me: ‘Can I sign with my own pen?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course!’ and he took out his elegant pen, which I think he had been saving for a long time, for such an important moment in his professional life. It’s those details that remind you that young people truly are the future, and that Penspen are genuinely committed to the communities where we work. It’s special.”
“The Youth Building the Future program was my first job after graduating, and it helped me to understand what the working world is like,” explains Jan.
“In Mexico, it can be complicated to find work, so the program is a great opportunity for young people like me who don’t have work experience but are eager and ready to learn.”
Viridiana Zapata, Junior Integrity Engineer, agrees with Jan, adding: “I think the program is a brilliant initiative for young people in Mexico, to help us get the professional development that we’re all looking for.”
Viridiana’s interest in the energy sector stems from the sheer number of opportunities that it offers for learning and development. “I’m also fascinated by the impact of hydrocarbons and how they’re transported around the world,” she says. “It’s exciting to be working on projects that are so important to ensuring access to energy in Mexico and the wider world, and that offer such great learning opportunities.”
Like Jan and Viridiana, Eduardo has relished the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the energy industry. Now a Junior HSE Supervisor in our Villahermosa office, he forms a key part of the team powering our commitment to Zero Harm, carrying out critical industrial safety activities, data analysis and interpretation, and safety equipment inspections.
“For me, the program represented a great opportunity not only to learn, but also to demonstrate my own abilities,” he said. “From the start, I was given the tools I needed to learn more about how the company operates, striking a balance between encouraging independent learning as well as in-depth training alongside all of the engineers that I was partnered with.”
“It’s exciting to be working on projects that are so important to ensuring access to energy in Mexico and the wider world, and that offer such great learning opportunities.”
Viridiana Zapata, Junior Integrity Engineer
“My interest in energy is directly tied to Tabasco, the region I live in. Here, our region is known for the massive presence of the oil industry and it’s a really attractive career option for people growing up here. Specifically, I knew I wanted to work for Penspen because of its deep-rooted history and heritage in the energy sector.”
Mariana believes programs like Youth Building the Future are crucial in developing the next generation of talent our industry needs to successfully navigate the energy transition.
“It’s not that young people lack experience, but rather that they have not had the luck to be given opportunities by companies,” she said.
“I am proud that this particular program is recognised globally and works so well. Above all, I’m delighted that Penspen sees that value of investing in new talent, ultimately contributing to the growth of the economy in Mexico, and firmly establishing our presence in the region as an employer of choice.”
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