The Vitoria-Gasteiz Employment Forum was held at the European Congress Palace on May 9, Empleo Gune. The initiative was promoted by the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Provincial Council of Álava and the Álava campus of the University of the Basque Country and has been consolidated as a meeting and communication center between the business structure and the people of Gasteiz.

The conference was supported by the Lanbide-Basque Employment Service and had the following objectives: to analyze private and public employment opportunities and future challenges in many economic sectors, to expand the profiles and job offers needed by companies on the way to expanding in Vitoria-Gasteiz, and to improve skills and actively seek employment offering activities aimed at spreading the information of those who are doing it.

The event to present the initiative was attended by the councilor for Economic Promotion, Employment, Trade and Tourism, María Nanclares; Deputy for Employment, Trade, Tourism and Administration of the Provincial Council, Cristina González; and the vice chancellor of EHU's Álava campus, Manoli Igartua.

"The Employment Forum of Gasteiz is a consolidated project and through it we promote the relationship between the companies of the city that need professionals to develop their activities and the people who are looking for employment because they do not have a job or because they want to find new job opportunities. As part of this economic situation, which is favorable throughout Spain and especially in the Basque Country (we are close to full employment), we want to bet on a labor market that prioritizes quality, said the Councilor for Economic Promotion, Employment, Trade and Tourism, María Nanclares.

On the other hand, Cristina González emphasized the importance of promoting mediation forums like Empleo Gune "to continue the positive evolution of employment in Álava". In addition, he encouraged people who want to change jobs or who are looking for work to participate in the initiative "which includes more than 700 employment opportunities".

He also wanted to add: "in addition, we are talking about opportunities to fill positions in various economic sectors that require different levels of qualification: from primary studies to university degrees or vocational training".

As part of the program of activities for this year's edition, Manoli Igartua wanted to emphasize three of them: their thematic focus is the application of artificial intelligence in relation to the search for employment and professional development. "This application is becoming more and more widespread and is transforming the process of searching for employment and selecting candidates. Therefore, I think these activities are very interesting", he said.

In addition, "initiatives such as the employment forum and the strong training received help to have high rates related to the world of work of our graduates".

96 companies and organizations took part in the Empleo Gune 2024 initiative. 64 of them paid attention to the interested parties through stands. 26 published offers on the website and 5 companies and one organization participated in a panel discussion.

Employment

Participants were able to obtain one of the 712 employment opportunities offered. In 37% of them, a university degree was required, in 29% a vocational education, 6% a secondary school degree, professional certificate or first level studies, and in 28% of offers, on the other hand, there is no minimum qualification established.

Regarding the required areas of knowledge, 24% of the offers were aimed at professionals related to industrial knowledge or STEAM skills; 19% to those with engineering training; 10% to those related to administration; 8% to IT professionals; 5% for healthcare workers; 6% to other areas of knowledge; and 7%, on the other hand, belonged to jobs that do not require specific knowledge.

The program

The inauguration took place at 09:30 and then the doors of the stands of companies and public institutions were opened.

On the other hand, at 10:00 a.m., the job search assistance point activity began. There were 20 minute sessions. On the other hand, Pablo Peñalver offered this information session: 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) and employment: how to be the ideal candidate'.

From 10:00 to 11:00, and from 13:30 to 14:30, the orientation workshop 'Recursos de apoyo al empleo' was organized, and throughout the day there was also the opportunity to participate in the 'Cómo mejorar mi curriculum vitae' session. These two activities were aimed at university graduates and students.

On the other hand, two other orientation workshops were held, aimed at the general public: at 11:00 a.m., called 'Keys to job search through the Internet', and at 12:30 p.m., 'IA en la selección de personnel: cómo adapt our search'.

The program included, on the other hand, the 'Oportunidades de empleo en Álava' panel discussion. The following companies took part in it: Michelin, Carrefour, Eulen, Pallet Transport and Caser. It was at 11:30.

Furthermore, from that time until 2:30 p.m., Pablo Peñalver offered the technical workshop 'Explorando caminos con IA: nuevas perspectivas en orientación educativa y profesional' for professionals in the field of guidance.
It was necessary to register in advance for the orientation workshops and the technical conference aimed at professionals in the field of orientation.

More information:

www.empleo-gune.org