There was a time in my life in the early eighties of the 20th century when I replaced my journalism work with an irregular job every Saturday and on the eve of the holidays. For three years, I came to my uncle’s (grocery) shop just in time. pepe -By the way, one of the nicest people I know in the Bilbao neighborhood of Iturribide- to help and learn more. Unknowingly, I was trained in the difficult and exciting world of trading. From knowing when a melon is at its best, grinding coffee, using a sausage slicer or cheese knife, curing a cod, knowing when a pea is also known as a pea, and even adding lists with dozens of numbers just because the calculator is in that neighborhood store. only used for large balances.
Within three years I had become such a good trader that I came to see myself in charge one Saturday when my uncle was halfway through with an untimely flu. Unknowingly, I had transitioned from an apprentice to a professional in the classic stores and grocers of the past, where even the presence of a cat was an everyday occurrence. Imagine if we didn’t come across this pet cat in any supermarket today.
And why is he telling us this, will they think? As I remembered my impromptu apprenticeship after hearing the warning from the president of the Alicante Public Works Association, Javier GisbertHe stated that the lack of workers could prevent the construction projects that started to take shape in the province thanks to the money coming from Europe to get us out of the covid crisis. Gisbert estimates that 15,000 workers will be needed. And here I go. Unfortunately we have turned many faculties into factories for the unemployed and now we need good plumbers, electricians, carpenters, carpenters, molders… they are almost nonexistent even abroad. A figure that can now be added to the number of mechanics in a thousand car repair shops, as the crisis forces us to extend the life of the car. “Titlit” has discredited professions as important and valuable as other professions, and we are already paying the price for it.
Additionally, public works have shown that they are an employment engine to get out of the crisis, and the more people we employ, the less pressure will be placed on the much-needed social care system. So this multi-billion euro bag from Europe that is on the table right now should be used well and it looks like we could lose it. But in this way, it will serve to alleviate the economic situation in which covid has swamped many Alicante families, not just those related to accommodation and tourism in general, which, by the way, is in recovery, by the way. This industry is taking advantage of the savings many have created during the pandemic when they put all of us at home and put their leisure budget into a piggy bank. But this piggy bank empties with the holidays, and downturn can be very difficult due to uncontrolled inflation. What if we run out of business due to a lack of workforce?
And why is labor needed? ERTEs cannot last a lifetime. Less subsidies and more jobs? I don’t know anyone who wants to live on unemployment benefits so the crisis is being fought with employment and the economic gurus have their accounts. 25 families are supported for every million euros in public works.
And there are matters pending in the state. Since the arrival of the AVE in 2013, no major rework is anticipated. Highways between Alicante, Villena and Murcia, Tren de la Costa and the connection of the port of Alicante with the Mediterranean Corridor. However, with these four ongoing projects, the economic crisis caused by the covid in the province would be faced in a different way.
Added to this is the lack of efficient maintenance, with poor roads and an accident almost every three hours. But to meet the needs of that time, you must not only preserve the infrastructures built in the past, but also update it. Looking ahead, for example, the province needs an urgent investment of 750m euros to prevent the Alicante-Villena highway and the most contradictory Alicante ring road from collapsing completely within the next decade, even though both exist. and serious congestion problems. Specifically, the “new” roads should be operational by 2029 when the A-31 is estimated to support 65,102 vehicles daily, 15% heavy and Alicante’s A-70 76,302 vehicles.
But now that the millions have arrived, don’t we have workers? Javier Gisbert suggests somehow regaining the apprentice figure as a viable solution in the medium term. Come on, it’s okay because our son doesn’t get bored today at Law School, where he’s dizzy with the degrees that can be taken at the university, then he moves to tourism, studies Business Administration and gives it a try. graphic design Are you working at any cost to get that university degree that will guarantee your future?
Generalitat assures that next year will start with a record number of places in the first VET courses and that these students will gradually respond to demand from companies. Across the Valencian Community, 32,000 students will begin VET, which according to Consell president, Ximo PuigThe biggest bet in history for this basic training for the invasion of the future.
For this to happen, the increase in VET places must continue in subsequent courses until the current offer is increased by 50%. The interior of the province and those farthest from major urban centers are the areas most in need of such work because the young of these populations do not have the capacity to travel to neighboring towns.
According to the developments in the “Bilateral Vocational Education Opportunities” forum, more than half of the jobs that the province will create in the near future will be for VET graduates. Education company relationship organized by Uepal in Alicante last month. Are you compatible?
That’s why it’s heartbreaking to hear the complaints of the public works employers’ association, and especially its president, Javier Gisbert, who warn that many projects that will continue thanks to European money may not be realized due to a shortage of workers. and young people running away from work, no matter what you pay them. The notice was left black on white on the same pages a week ago. For example, look back and remember how we came out of the crisis in the United States in 1929. The beekeeper’s job is as necessary as that of the electrician or plumber. Let’s move together ’cause as I once heard Emilio Ontiverosone of the country’s greatest economic thinkers, who died that week: A country that does not take care of its youth has no future.