The Canary Islands’ Tourism and Employment Ministry has launched a new grant scheme to fund 17 training projects aimed at helping 255 unemployed young people under 30 find work.
The initiative, backed by the Canarian Employment Service (SCE), has a budget of €7,105,730.75, with 85% of the funding provided by the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+) for the 2021-2027 period.
Tourism and Employment Minister Jéssica de León stressed the government’s commitment to this demographic, alongside efforts to support those over 45. She stated, “Our work aims not only to reduce youth unemployment figures but also to create future opportunities so that no young person is left behind.”
The projects will offer paid work experience and professional qualification, improving participants’ job prospects. Deputy Employment Minister Isabel León explained that these mixed training actions, combining education and employment, cater to the real needs of the Canarian job market, providing pathways for young people facing the most barriers to employment.
Participants will work under a training contract for 11 months, spending 65% of their time in paid work and 35% in theoretical and practical training to secure professional certificates.
To qualify, candidates must be unemployed under-30s registered with the National Youth Guarantee System, with priority given to those without prior formal training. Additionally, over 55% of the places are reserved for women, particularly victims of gender violence.
To promote geographic equity, at least one project will be available on each island, with six projects planned for both Tenerife and Gran Canaria, catering to 90 participants each. Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro will each host one project with 15 spots.
