3.3 Skills forecasting
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Instituto de la Juventud de España
Spanish Institute for Youth
C/ José Ortega y Gasset 71
ES-28006 Madrid
Tel: +34 917 827 602
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Forecasting system(s)
Law 3/2023 on Employment (Ley 3/2023, de 28 de febrero) in Title III (Active Employment Policies), Chapter II (Employability) outlines key concepts about employability and the need for continuous adaptation of workers' skills.
- Article 34: defines employability as the capacity of individuals to access, maintain and progress in employment.
- Article 35: highlights the importance of maintaining and improving skills to adapt to labour market changes.
This law underscores the necessity of a dynamic approach to skills development to ensure that workers remain competitive in a changing market.
The Employment and Labour Issues Sectorial Conference plays a crucial role in identifying the skills needed in the workforce. Among the key outcomes, the conference has allocated funding from the SEPE and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, with a notable allocation of 633,606,300 euros specifically aimed at training initiatives individuals suffering from long-term unemployment. This initiative is designed to help re-skill workers, improving their employability and fostering economic resilience.
The Vocational Training System for Employment (Sistema de Formación Profesional para el Empleo) is regulated by Law 30/2015 on Vocational Training System for Employment (Ley 30/2015. The system is designed to anticipate future skill requirements and adapt to the evolving needs of the productive model, ensuring that workers are equipped with the competencies needed in emerging industries.
In February 2025, Royal Decree 69/2025 (Real Decreto 69/2025) was approved to modernize Spain’s vocational education and training (VET) system. The decree introduces key reforms, including the creation of a VET sector for artificial intelligence and data science, ensuring that Spain’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed for emerging sectors.
The State Foundation for Employment Training (FUNDAE), is another key actor in forecasting professional skills needs. As part of the Vocational Training System for Employment (Sistema de Formación Profesional para el Empleo), it works closely with the Occupation Observatory (Observatorio de las Ocupaciones del Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal of the Public State Employment Service (SEPE). This technical unit conducts comprehensive analyses of the labour market trends skills gaps and emerging sectors to inform skills development strategies.
Skills development
In Spain, professional skills are defined as the sets of knowledge and capacities which enable individuals to perform professional activities in line with the demands of the labour market. The adaptation of the education system to these requirements is facilitated by Organic Law 3/2022 Ley Orgánica 3/2022, de 31 de marzo, de ordenación e integración de la Formación Profesional) which outlines the planning and integration of vocational education and training (VET) with the needs of the productive system.
The Spanish Active Employment Support Strategy 2021-2024 (Estrategia Española de Apoyo Activo al Empleo 2021-2024) identifies the need to focus on training as one of its core objectives. By analysing occupations with better prospects, the strategy aims to enhance employability and foster continuous skills development, ensuring workers can meet evolving market demands. The upcoming 2025–2028 strategy is anticipated to reinforce these objectives, particularly in relation to emerging sectors and the green and digital transitions.
In facilitate this alignment, the National System for Qualifications and Vocational Education and Training has been established. The National Catalogue for Professional Qualifications serves as a key instrument for adapting vocational training to meet the demands of the productive system , thereby supporting the development of skills and enhancing employability.
Skills can be obtained through vocational training, professional experience, or by other forms of non-formal training. The National Catalogue for Professional Qualifications integrates various training systems and allows people to have their skills recognised regardless of whether they hold an official qualification.
The National Institute of Qualifications ( INCUAL) is responsible for developing and updating the National Catalogue for Professional Qualifications and the Modular Catalogue of VET. INCUAL also operates a Professional Observatory, which offers insights into the professions in demand in the labour market.
In Spain today, regulated Vocational Training (VET) and Employment Training coexist within the Vocational Training System for Employment. Regulated vocational training is structured into training cycles that lead to qualifications such as Technician or Higher Technician. These qualifications are awarded through educational institutions under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
The purpose of Training for Employment is to provide lifelong learning opportunities for workers, whether employed or unemployed. It is achieved through occupational vocational training courses and ongoing vocational training, in order to obtain the Professional Skills Certificates (Certificados de Profesionalidad). The State Public Service of Employment (SEPE) publishes the National Repertoire of Professional Skills Certificates ( Repertorio Nacional de Certificados de Profesionalidad).
The National Reference Centres (Centros de Referencia Nacional, CRN) are a network of innovation and experimentation centres within the Vocational Training system. They focus on specific production sectors and work collaboratively with each Autonomous Community (CCAA) to ensure sector-specific training is aligned with labour market needs.
Non-formal training in Spain is regulated the Collective Agreement on Education and Non-Formal Training (Resolución de 22 de septiembre de 2021, Convenio colectivo de enseñanza y formación no reglada). It is aligned with the Organic Law 3/2022 on VET Ley Orgánica 3/2022, de 31 de marzo, de ordenación e integración de la Formación Profesional)and the Royal Decree 1224/2009, on the recognition of professional skills gained by work experience.
Spain is benefiting from EU funding through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), with €11.3 billion allocated for the period 2021–2027. A significant portion of this funding is dedicated to skills development initiatives, with a focus on improving youth employment opportunities in digital, green, and technology sectors.