HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

A growing disparity between the skills offered through education and the demands of the job market is casting a long shadow over the future of the workforce in Spain. As businesses seek to diversify and incorporate new professional profiles, it has become glaringly evident that Spain’s training programs are struggling to keep pace with the evolving needs of the industry.

A recent report titled "Paths that Converge: The Challenge of Talent for Young People and Companies," conducted by the consulting firm KPMG, has exposed the pressing issue. The study shows that a staggering 75 percent of companies perceive the shortage of skilled talent as a substantial risk to their sustainability and future growth. In parallel, Spain's youth population grapples with record-high unemployment rates, particularly among those aged 20 to 24, reaching 24.95 percent according to the third quarter data from the Active Population Survey in 2023.

Juanjo Cano, President of KPMG in Spain, stressed that “This fact, in addition to compromising the future prospects of our young people, slows down the growth of our country, at a time when it is necessary to promote the transformation of our economy.”

Universities are poised to play a pivotal role as an essential partner in resolving this crisis. They serve as a crucial bridge connecting students with companies in search of specific professional profiles, enabling a seamless transition from education to the job market.

Furthermore, a report from the Engineering Observatory in Spain has spotlighted another critical issue. It reveals that only 10 percent of university enrollments are dedicated to engineering disciplines, despite the burgeoning demand for engineering profiles that companies are anticipated to require in the next decade. The report concludes that at least 200,000 new engineers will be required over the next 10 years to fill vacancies.

The educational system must respond to this growing need for skilled engineering professionals to ensure that the country remains competitive in the global market.

Another pertinent issue that often goes unnoticed is the prevalence of "invisible jobs" with direct hiring. Many graduates seeking their first jobs in private companies face the challenge of job vacancies that are never publicly advertised. According to Adecco, an estimated 80 percent of job openings are never made publicly available, with this trend seeing a 5.5 percent increase in recent years. In essence, a significant portion of positions is filled through internal recommendations without ever being publicly announced, complicating job seekers' access to available positions. In response to this, the University of Seville has launched the "professional appointments" initiative, a novel approach that sees companies actively reaching out to educational institutions to fill these undisclosed positions.

In conclusion, the widening gap between education and industry requirements has far-reaching consequences for sustainability and growth. Collaboration between universities and businesses, coupled with efforts to address the demand for specific professional profiles, is essential to tackle this challenge head-on and ensure a prosperous future for both young talent and the broader economy.

Source: Ruetir