According to the executive, companies are placing greater value on engineers and architects who possess management skills.
In an interview with América Economía, Juan Antonio Cuartero, chief business officer of Structuralia, a training school specializing in construction, engineering, infrastructure, and energy, discussed the new cohorts of specialized MBA programs and the benefits of pursuing sector-specific programs.
According to the professor, the new MBA in Industry is a response to the ongoing reevaluation of the sector’s production and logistics model.
A key focus of this program is industrial entrepreneurship, both from the perspective of startups and intrapreneurship within large industrial corporations.
For the institution, this is one of the key challenges the industrial sector will have to address in the near future in order to establish itself as a driving force—both in the most developed economies, with their reindustrialization processes, and in emerging economies, with large market niches and productive sectors yet to be developed.
Like the MBA in Infrastructure and Construction—now in its 18th edition—and the MBA in Energy (third edition), all three programs will be offered online starting October 21, with two weeks of in-person sessions in Madrid, where students will share experiences, visit companies, and see firsthand how professionals from different countries tackle challenges from different perspectives.
«In the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure, professionals are meeting a real need and demand within the country itself,» Cuartero said.
– What was the reason for creating an Executive MBA in Industry?
Because, on a global scale, major industries—both large-scale and small-scale—are continually rethinking their production and logistics models. In addition, energy sources are also undergoing changes, and some raw materials are running out; in other words, there is a need for an academic environment that analyzes what is happening from a perspective that is deeply rooted in the sector, yet fully aligned with the development of professionals’ management skills.
In the international labor market, one in four jobs is in the industrial sector, or 25% of total employment.
– Why choose specialized MBA programs?
Mainly because the target audience for these programs consists of architects and engineers—professionals who have completed a specific undergraduate degree program that is highly project-oriented, that is, more specialized. Furthermore, the learning period is drastically shortened and streamlined compared to a traditional MBA, because everything is put into practice—specifically within this sector.
On the other hand, companies are placing greater value on engineers and architects who possess management skills and abilities. Furthermore, the types of projects being put out to bid have changed, meaning that engineers must not only be technically skilled but also manage large projects, lead teams, and sell.
– What do companies value more: specialized MBAs or experience?
According to studies, companies believe that in order to advance professionally—not only in technical fields but also in management—it is necessary to have an advanced degree or to complete a complementary program.
– Is there an increase in the number of Latino professionals pursuing specialized MBAs?
Last year, 65% of the professionals who enrolled in the infrastructure MBA program and 80% of those who enrolled in the energy MBA program were from Latin America.
The five most important countries where we have observed interest are Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile, due to the current economic situation in these nations, where there is a need for qualified professionals who are prepared to lead projects.
In Mexico, energy reform is very important, and that is why professionals are pursuing an MBA in energy.
– It’s often said that professionals may have many skills, yet they fall short in areas such as leadership, ethics, or teamwork. What are your thoughts on this?
Today, engineers are the professionals most likely to advance to management positions, because their training has equipped them with the analytical skills and potential needed for such roles. However, the approach to helping them develop management skills must be tailored specifically to them, with input from the relevant industry sector as well.
Source: americaeconomia
