Alicante will host a distinctive two day gathering on April 26 and 27, designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises, with participation from professionals, entrepreneurs, educational bodies, business and trade unions, and technology centers.
Under the theme “What digital capabilities and skills do SMEs need today?” these two conferences are part of the SME University initiative, backed by the State Employment Education Foundation FUNDAE and the Public State Employment Service SEPE.
The event will take place at the Generalitat Valenciana and its Digital Zone in the Valencian Community, notably within the facilities of the Digital District. Here, attendees will connect with experts, SME professionals, self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities and a wide range of training resources. The program will showcase good practices and practical solutions for company digitalization, entrepreneurship promotion, and the growth of SMEs in the digital economy.
National Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan initiative
The effort focuses on digital transformation for SMEs and the provision of new resources for workers and entrepreneurs to engage and advance in the business landscape. The SME University conferences are part of a broader project led by SEPE and FUNDAE, coordinated with autonomous communities, and aligned with the National Plan for Recovery, Transformation and Resilience.
Digital Zone headquarters are located near Ciudad de la Luz, providing a hub for collaboration among SME leaders and digitalization experts. The event is described as a space where attendees can share experiences, explore innovative initiatives, and learn about available training resources that support SME digitalization and entrepreneurial growth.
Antonio de Luis Acevedo, managing director of FUNDAE, emphasizes that both institutions and companies are actively promoting digital transformation. He notes that the event aims to spark interest in developing digital skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset by highlighting accessible educational resources, sharing success stories in entrepreneurship, digitalization, and youth entrepreneurship, and illustrating how ideas can become viable professional projects. This effort also underscores the role of digitalization as a driver for future business ideas.
Registration and free help
Experts, technicians, professionals, and union and business leaders will discuss topics such as employment and digital talent and present advanced approaches to new business models and the social contract.
The event will showcase profiles in demand in today’s digital economy. Attendees will hear about job roles and competencies that reflect the current shift toward digital operations and how SMEs in the Valencia Community are progressing with transformation.
Registration is free. The program includes guidance from regional authorities, with leadership from the Valencian Minister for Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor and the SEPE managing director.
A space for exchange of experience
The Alicante SME University gathering is conceived as a venue for knowledge sharing, learning, and practical exchange, supporting SMEs and digitalization entrepreneurs alike.
Recent data illustrates significant investment in training by FUNDAE and SEPE to boost local competitiveness, with thousands of Valencian companies participating in subsidized employment training during the past year. In the Community of Valencia, hundreds of thousands of hours of education were delivered in 2022, underscoring a sustained commitment to workforce development.
Interested participants can sign up through the official portal. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to expand digital skills and entrepreneurship across the Valencian Community and beyond. [Citation: Generalitat Valenciana, FUNDAE, SEPE]