# Mayan-on-Chip: Training Mexico's Next Semiconductor Engineers

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-07-15
- Length: 37m
- Episode: 348
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers/

## Summary

Nasska Medrano of Altium Education and Professor Johan Estrada of the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY) discuss the Mayan-on-Chip initiative, a workforce development program in southeastern Mexico designed to train engineers in electronics, embedded systems, and semiconductors. The first cohort exceeded expectations with 72 graduates, addressing the gap between academic theory and industry needs for practical PCB design and semiconductor skills. They highlight how Mexico's national semiconductor plan and nearshoring trends are driving a shift from pure manufacturing to engineering and R&D, requiring coordinated efforts among government, academia, and industry partners like Intel and Microsoft.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=0) Introduction and Guest Backgrounds
- [4:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=243) Mayan-on-Chip Initiative Overview and First Cohort Results
- [7:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=443) Mexico's National Semiconductor Plan and Government Role
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=950) Student Interest in Semiconductors vs. PCB Design
- [21:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=1261) Embedded Systems and the Future of Engineering Talent
- [23:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=1390) Mexico's Electronics Ecosystem and Nearshoring Dynamics
- [33:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-15-mayan-on-chip-training-mexicos-next-semiconductor-engineers#t=1990) Altium Education's Role and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Altium Education (company)
- Autonomous University of Yucatán (company)
- Mayan-on-Chip (product)
- Intel (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Silicon Labs (company)
- Altera (company)
- Texas A&M University (company)
- Chips Act (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Building Mexico’s Electronics Future Through Training, Alliances, And Advocacy, with Lorena Villanueva](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-04-07-building-mexicos-electronics-future-through-training-alliances-and-advocacy-with) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Wow, Dave REALLY likes Top Gun](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-25-wow-dave-really-likes-top-gun) (The Amp Hour)
- [BONUS - Koh Young's Ramon Hernandez talks all things Mexico at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-24-bonus-koh-youngs-ramon-hernandez-talks-all-things-mexico-at-apex-2023-emsnow-sco) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Inside Mexico's Electronics Manufacturing Industry: Adapting to Industry 4.0 with ASMPT's Ramon Hernandez](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-07-01-inside-mexicos-electronics-manufacturing-industry-adapting-to-industry-4-0-with) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Koh Young America's Mexico Leader Ramon Hernandez on EMS@C-Level with Philip Stoten](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-09-13-koh-young-americas-mexico-leader-ramon-hernandez-on-ems-c-level-with-philip-stot) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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