Training Programme Aims to Bridge Skills Gap
The Consell Comarcal del Baix Llobregat is preparing to launch a new dual vocational training programme in mechanical machining, designed to train and place new talent in local industrial firms. The initiative, submitted to the Servei Públic d’Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC) under the FPO Dual 2026 programme, combines specialised training at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Martorell with a 12-month paid work contract in participating companies across the comarca. The project remains pending approval and final resolution by the SOC. The FPO Dual 2026 call is open from 7 to 28 September 2026, with funded training and employment actions required to start by 28 February 2027 at the latest.
How the Programme Works
Under the proposed model, trainees will spend approximately 35% of their time in formal education and 65% gaining hands-on experience at host companies. The training begins with three months of classroom instruction at UPC Martorell, followed by nine months of workplace immersion. Participants will work towards a Level 2 professional certification in metal machining, which carries a workload of 540 hours. The curriculum includes training in the use of lathes, milling machines, drilling tools, and industrial safety protocols, ensuring trainees gain skills directly aligned with local industry needs.
The FPO Dual model allows participants to earn a professional qualification while gaining real-world experience in a working environment.
Eligibility and Employer Participation
The programme targets young people aged 16 to 29 who face barriers to entering the labour market, particularly those without formal qualifications or with low levels of education. Exceptions may be made for jobseekers over 29, including those undergoing retraining, long-term unemployed individuals over 45, people with disabilities, women who are victims of gender-based violence, and those over 52, provided they meet eligibility criteria. All participants must be registered as jobseekers with the employment office and unemployed before starting the contract. The Consell Comarcal is currently inviting industrial firms in the Baix Llobregat to participate. Companies do not need to take on an entire cohort; they may hire one or more trainees based on their needs. The project aims to place between 8 and 15 trainees overall. Employers interested in joining must express their interest by 18 September 2026. The Consell Comarcal will then coordinate with them on documentation and onboarding.
Financial Support for Employers
The SOC provides financial support to companies hiring trainees under the FPO Dual scheme. For mechanical manufacturing roles, the subsidy is set at 80% of a maximum monthly contract module of €1,029.29, equating to €823.43 per month per trainee. This translates to an indicative maximum subsidy of €9,881.16 per participant over the 12-month period. The final amount will depend on project approval and individual contract terms. The subsidy contributes to labour costs but does not exempt employers from paying their share of wages and social security contributions.
Long-Term Goals for Industry and Workforce
The initiative forms part of the Consell Comarcal’s broader strategy to strengthen vocational training and align education with local economic needs. By targeting mechanical manufacturing, a key sector in the Baix Llobregat’s industrial base, the project aims to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers while helping companies shape talent to their specific requirements. The ultimate goal is to improve employment outcomes for disadvantaged groups and address workforce shortages in a vital regional industry.
Primary sources: mataro.cat, govern.upc.edu, upc.edu, Campus FPCAT-UPC de la Mobilitat Sostenible (Martorell), muei.etseib.masters.upc.edu. Reported by elbaix.cat, terrassaocupacio.cat, Ajuntament de l'Ametlla del Vallès, mro.barcelonactiva.cat, ACN, fmc.cat, pimec.org, elperiodico.com.
