The reports generated by the project Shaping Skills serve as a comprehensive analytical tool, offering an in-depth snapshot of workforce competencies within diverse sectors. Central to the report is the creation and refinement of an adaptive taxonomy of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA), designed to map and organize the competencies required to meet evolving industry demands. Drawing from data collected from job postings for each occupation and related roles in a specific sector, the report analyzes the distribution of competencies through graphical methods, identifying trends, patterns, and key categories.

Structured to lead readers toward a clear grasp of emerging workforce priorities, the reports also offer a deeper examination of the occupational landscape. They uncover valuable insights into the workforce’s specialized needs, highlighting how employment patterns and job roles are evolving in response to technological shifts and changing market dynamics. By mapping these trends, the reports empower stakeholders with actionable knowledge to proactively address future workforce challenges and opportunities.

Finally, through its focused examination of knowledge, skills, and abilities, these reports provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future trajectory of the workforce in the analyzed sector. It provides a foundation for deeper investigation into how technological change is redefining work, outlining strategies to build a resilient and competitive workforce while bridging sectors and guiding the future of education and employment.

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Our Dream

Improve the lives of millions of people through transforming higher education and lifelong learning around the world.

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Our Purpose

We create, disseminate, and apply research-based educational innovation to improve higher education and lifelong learning.

Initiatives

Through our expanding range of initiatives, the Institute for the Future of Education, IFE, aims to collaborate with academics, professionals, policymakers, and leaders to co-create the future of education.

Our initiatives are divided into four groups:  

1. Interdisciplinary Research
2. Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer
3. Impact Projects and Consultancy
4. Outreach and Community Building.

Our Dream

Improve the lives of millions of people through transforming higher education and lifelong learning around the world.

ABOUT US navigate_next

Our Purpose

We create, disseminate, and apply research-based educational innovation to improve higher education and lifelong learning.

Initiatives

Through our expanding range of initiatives, the Institute for the Future of Education, IFE, aims to collaborate with academics, professionals, policymakers, and leaders to co-create the future of education.

Our initiatives are divided into four groups:  

1. Interdisciplinary Research
2. Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer
3. Impact Projects and Consultancy
4. Outreach and Community Building.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of work, it is imperative to envision a transformative future for education that caters to academic achievement, skills mastery, and the preparation of graduates for the labor market. This necessitates a paradigm shift characterized by nonlinearity and high flexibility, ensuring education remains responsive, relevant, and effective in meeting the changing needs of industries and society. 

To realize these objectives, an open and collaborative approach is needed to cultivate a FAIR education framework, embodying principles of being Fit for Purpose, Adaptive, Inclusive, and Relevant. 
 

Fit for Purpose

Design pedagogical, neurocognitive, and technological approaches that lead to effective learning.

Adaptive

Create flexible and convenient learning modes with multiple progression pathways.

Inclusive

Bring quality education opportunities to all, including underserved communities.

Relevant

Anticipate and respond to the dynamic changing needs of industries and society.

To achieve these objectives, several challenges need to be tackled, including, but not limited to: 

1. Quality. Elevate learning outcomes by transforming teaching & learning to be engaging and motivating.
2. Relevance. Skills development to support worker job mobility and companies’ business transformation.
3. Access. Scale up quality higher education and lifelong learning opportunities for all segments of the population.
4. Inclusion. Make education affordable to different learner segments.
5. Efficiency. Design effective competency-based learning systems to increase educational quality and efficiency.

To address the five great challenges in education, the Institute for the Future of Education establishes a platform to generate interdisciplinary research, promote entrepreneurship, provide educational innovation services, disseminate knowledge, and connect with our stakeholders to have a greater impact.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of work, it is imperative to envision a transformative future for education that caters to academic achievement, skills mastery, and the preparation of graduates for the labor market. This necessitates a paradigm shift characterized by nonlinearity and high flexibility, ensuring education remains responsive, relevant, and effective in meeting the changing needs of industries and society. 

To realize these objectives, an open and collaborative approach is needed to cultivate a FAIR education framework, embodying principles of being Fit for Purpose, Adaptive, Inclusive, and Relevant. 
 

Fit for Purpose

Design pedagogical, neurocognitive, and technological approaches that lead to effective learning.

Adaptive

Create flexible and convenient learning modes with multiple progression pathways.

Inclusive

Bring quality education opportunities to all, including underserved communities.

Relevant

Anticipate and respond to the dynamic changing needs of industries and society.

To achieve these objectives, several challenges need to be tackled, including, but not limited to: 

1. Quality. Elevate learning outcomes by transforming teaching & learning to be engaging and motivating.
2. Relevance. Skills development to support worker job mobility and companies’ business transformation.
3. Access. Scale up quality higher education and lifelong learning opportunities for all segments of the population.
4. Inclusion. Make education affordable to different learner segments.
5. Efficiency. Design effective competency-based learning systems to increase educational quality and efficiency.

To address the five great challenges in education, the Institute for the Future of Education establishes a platform to generate interdisciplinary research, promote entrepreneurship, provide educational innovation services, disseminate knowledge, and connect with our stakeholders to have a greater impact.

The International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Institute for the Future of Education is a high-level body that supports the Institute’s strategic direction setting and global positioning. Its members bring deep expertise in education, innovation, skills development, and public policy and serve as trusted advisors who provide critical feedback, challenge assumptions, and help identify bold opportunities for impact. The Board also acts as a bridge to international networks, unlocking new partnerships, funding sources, and platforms for collaboration.

IFE Flagship Projects

The IFE Flagship Projects are strategic institutional initiatives that have been shaped and refined with input from the International Advisory Board. They embody the Institute’s commitment to systemic educational transformation through innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.

Executive Program for Higher Education Leaders (in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania)

This initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, aims to empower university leaders in Latin America with the essential tools, mindsets, and networks to lead institutional transformation. The program features in-person and virtual modules focused on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Its goal is to develop higher education institutions that are prepared for the future across the region.

IFE AI Nexus

A collaborative research and innovation hub focused on artificial intelligence and learning analytics in education. It enables large-scale pilots, joint research, policy guidance, and training to help institutions integrate AI into teaching and learning in a responsible and effective way—leveraging the infrastructure of IFE and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Skills Hub

Skills Hub is a platform designed to close the skills gap between education and the labor market. It supports governments, industries, and universities with skills forecasting, short-cycle program design, and policy development. The initiative combines data, research, and partnerships to foster inclusive upskilling and reskilling ecosystems across Latin America.

FAIR Learning Model - El Camino

A hybrid learning model that combines AI-powered tutoring via WhatsApp with human mentorship to support vulnerable segments of the population. Initially piloted in Monterrey, it has demonstrated strong engagement and learning outcomes. The IAB identified El Camino’s potential for massive scalability as a low-cost, high-impact solution to advance educational equity.

Global South EdTech Network

This initiative aims to identify, adapt, and scale educational technology solutions for Latin America and developing economies. It builds a collaborative network to address shared challenges through research, open innovation, and a validation marketplace. The project amplifies Global South voices and fosters sustainable, evidence-based EdTech innovation.

IFE International Advisory Board Members

Michael J. L. Fung

President IFE International Advisory Board Executive Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Courtney Brown

Vice President of Strategy

Lumina Foundation

Raúl Valdés-Cotera

Chief Program Coordinator

UNESCOInstitute for Lifelong Learning

Horacio Arredondo

Dean School of Business & EGADE Business School

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Matt Sigelman

President

Burning Glass Institute

Paul LeBlanc

Co-Founder

Matter and Space

Douglas Lynch

Senior Fellow

USC Rossier School of Education

Maia Sharpley

Managing Partner

Odonata Ventures

Michelle Weise

Co-Founder

Rise & Design

Juan Pablo Murra

Rector

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Feniosky Peña-Mora

Vice President of Research

Tecnológico de Monterrey

José Escamilla

Secretary IFE International Advisory Board Associate Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

The International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Institute for the Future of Education is a high-level body that supports the Institute’s strategic direction setting and global positioning. Its members bring deep expertise in education, innovation, skills development, and public policy and serve as trusted advisors who provide critical feedback, challenge assumptions, and help identify bold opportunities for impact. The Board also acts as a bridge to international networks, unlocking new partnerships, funding sources, and platforms for collaboration.

IFE Flagship Projects

The IFE Flagship Projects are strategic institutional initiatives that have been shaped and refined with input from the International Advisory Board. They embody the Institute’s commitment to systemic educational transformation through innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.

Executive Program for Higher Education Leaders (in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania)

This initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, aims to empower university leaders in Latin America with the essential tools, mindsets, and networks to lead institutional transformation. The program features in-person and virtual modules focused on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Its goal is to develop higher education institutions that are prepared for the future across the region.

IFE AI Nexus

A collaborative research and innovation hub focused on artificial intelligence and learning analytics in education. It enables large-scale pilots, joint research, policy guidance, and training to help institutions integrate AI into teaching and learning in a responsible and effective way—leveraging the infrastructure of IFE and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Skills Hub

Skills Hub is a platform designed to close the skills gap between education and the labor market. It supports governments, industries, and universities with skills forecasting, short-cycle program design, and policy development. The initiative combines data, research, and partnerships to foster inclusive upskilling and reskilling ecosystems across Latin America.

FAIR Learning Model - El Camino

A hybrid learning model that combines AI-powered tutoring via WhatsApp with human mentorship to support vulnerable segments of the population. Initially piloted in Monterrey, it has demonstrated strong engagement and learning outcomes. The IAB identified El Camino’s potential for massive scalability as a low-cost, high-impact solution to advance educational equity.

Global South EdTech Network

This initiative aims to identify, adapt, and scale educational technology solutions for Latin America and developing economies. It builds a collaborative network to address shared challenges through research, open innovation, and a validation marketplace. The project amplifies Global South voices and fosters sustainable, evidence-based EdTech innovation.

IFE International Advisory Board Members

Michael J. L. Fung

President IFE International Advisory Board Executive Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Courtney Brown

Vice President of Strategy

Lumina Foundation

Raúl Valdés-Cotera

Chief Program Coordinator

UNESCOInstitute for Lifelong Learning

Horacio Arredondo

Dean School of Business & EGADE Business School

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Matt Sigelman

President

Burning Glass Institute

Paul LeBlanc

Co-Founder

Matter and Space

Douglas Lynch

Senior Fellow

USC Rossier School of Education

Maia Sharpley

Managing Partner

Odonata Ventures

Michelle Weise

Co-Founder

Rise & Design

Juan Pablo Murra

Rector

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Feniosky Peña-Mora

Vice President of Research

Tecnológico de Monterrey

José Escamilla

Secretary IFE International Advisory Board Associate Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

The Research Lab is committed to conducting innovative interdisciplinary research that addresses the most pressing challenges facing education worldwide.

The Research Lab is committed to conducting innovative interdisciplinary research that addresses the most pressing challenges facing education worldwide.

This initiative is committed to evaluating and strengthening educational innovation through scientific evidence. Its central goal is to ensure that educational initiatives, whether developed internally or externally, generate measurable impact, inform strategic decisions, and contribute to more equitable, effective, and inclusive learning environments.

• During the last period, the initiative is focused on three priorities:
• Expanding rigorous evaluation within Tecnológico de Monterrey in close collaboration with key university stakeholders.
• Offering evidence-based consulting services to external universities and organizations in Mexico and Latin America.

Leading high-impact, socially driven projects that use evidence to transform lives in vulnerable communities.

At the core of this initiative lies a robust methodological framework aligned with international standards in educational research. The approach includes a structured impact evaluation model with four stages: defining the model of change, collecting evidence, reviewing and analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

The framework operates across three levels of evaluation—results measurement, goal achievement, and causal impact—and uses techniques such as counterfactual analysis (RCTs), matching, theory-driven inference, and triangulation to ensure validity and actionable insights.

The area works in strategic coordination with core actors at Tecnológico de Monterrey, including the: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Faculty; Vice President for High Schools; Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Educational Innovation and Academic Regulations; Executive Vice President for Research; Vice President for Inclusion, Social Impact and Sustainability; and Vice President for Strategy.

Beyond its internal value, the initiative supports a growing portfolio of evaluations for external institutions, helping partners assess programs, validate results, and make strategic decisions. This outreach solidifies IFE’s role as a trusted source for impact consulting in higher education and social innovation.