€22.56 Million for Employment Programmes

The Public Employment Service of Catalonia (SOC), under the Department of Economy and Labour, has renewed its collaboration agreement with Barcelona Activa, the city council’s economic promotion agency, allocating €22.56 million for 2025 to strengthen active employment policies. Seventy per cent of the funding comes from the SOC, with the remaining 30 per cent provided by Barcelona City Council. The partnership aims to improve job access through expanded vocational services, particularly for young people and those at risk of social exclusion. In 2023, over 28,000 individuals used Barcelona Activa’s services. Of the 13,600 participants registered with the SOC, 47.3% secured employment, with 41.9% receiving permanent contracts. Among young people, the employment rate reached 56.3%, according to data from the Barcelona City Council.

Five Key Focus Areas for 2025

The 2025 initiatives will develop vocational support across five areas:

  • Career advice: Personalised guidance and motivation programmes
  • Professional qualifications: Vocational training and accreditation of skills
  • Employment support: Services targeting those at risk of labour market exclusion
  • In-company support: Upskilling for employees within businesses
  • Job creation and local development: Projects to stimulate economic activity and quality employment

A key component includes Catalan language courses linked to occupational training, aimed at improving integration into the local job market.

New Leadership and Training Partnerships

Francesc Castellana Aregall, appointed director of the SOC under Decree 62/2025 of 8 April, formalised the agreements. He previously led the SOC during Pasqual Maragall’s executive and was president of the Economic Council until December 2023. The SOC has also renewed a collaboration with the General Council of Chambers to expand professional internships through Occupational Professional Training (FPO) courses. Additionally, an agreement with UPC Formació i Mobilitat, S.A. and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) will deliver automotive sector training at the Centre de Formació Professional d’Automoció in Martorell.

Residents of Barcelona and job seekers registered with the SOC can access these services via the Barcelona Activa website, which offers digital and in-person support including career guidance, training registration, and job placement.

Companies interested in hosting trainees or upskilling staff can also apply through the portal. The initiatives align with broader efforts such as the Quality Youth Employment Plan (POQJ) 2024–2030, which targets 30,000 young people annually and includes projects like Barcelona Treball Joves and the STEM Programme.

Primary sources: barcelona.cat, Barcelona City Council. Reported by barcelonactiva.cat, Agustí Sala, treball.barcelonactiva.cat, Maria Teresa Coca, barna.news.