There was a time in the early eighties when the writer swapped journalism for a part time Saturday job just before holidays. For three years, the author arrived at a uncle’s grocery shop precisely on time, learning and helping. Pepe, one of the kindest people in the Bilbao neighborhood of Iturribide, offered guidance and patience while the writer absorbed the tough, exciting craft of trading. From spotting the best moment for a melon to grinding coffee, using a sausage slicer or a cheese knife, curing cod, recognizing a pea when it’s perfectly fresh, and even tallying long lists of numbers with a calculator that lived in that corner shop, the experience gradually revealed itself as hands-on training in commerce.
Within three years, the apprentice had grown confident enough to take charge on a Saturday when the uncle was down with a sudden flu. Unknowingly, the writer had moved from trainee to trusted professional in the old school grocers and markets, where a shop cat was a familiar sight. It is hard to picture a modern supermarket without a resident feline companion today.
So why share this story? When the writer recalled that improvised apprenticeship, the words from the president of the Alicante Public Works Association, Javier Gisbert, came to mind. He warned that a shortage of workers could stall construction projects that European funds were starting to enable in the province as the region recovers from the covid crisis. Gisbert estimates a need for fifteen thousand workers. Sadly, many academic programs have become factory-like paths to unemployment. Skilled plumbers, electricians, carpenters, molders, and other trades are scarce abroad as well. The region faces this gap alongside a rising number of mechanics in car repair shops, as the crisis pushes people to extend the lifespans of older vehicles. The loss of respect for essential trades has tangible costs for the economy and communities.
Alicante state needs 15,000 workers to stop construction
Public works have proven to be a strong engine for growth during the crisis, and more employment means less pressure on social care systems. A sizable European fund is on the table, and it should be invested wisely to stabilize families throughout Alicante who were hit hard by covid, especially those outside tourism and accommodation sectors. The pandemic saved some money for many families, who redirected their leisure budgets into savings. Yet that reserve could drain quickly during holidays, and inflation adds another layer of risk. What happens if the workforce runs dry?
Why is labor so critical? ERTEs cannot last forever. Fewer subsidies and more jobs is a straightforward equation. Few people want to rely on unemployment benefits, and the crisis is being met head-on with employment and the calculations of economists. Roughly twenty-five families are supported for every one million euros spent on public works.
Several matters remain unresolved at the state level. Since the AVE arrived in 2013, major rebuilds have not progressed as hoped. The highway links between Alicante, Villena, and Murcia, the Coastal Train, and the connection of the port with the Mediterranean Corridor are cited as priorities, yet four ongoing projects could change how the province recovers from the covid storm. Maintaining infrastructure also requires updating it to current standards rather than simply preserving what exists.
Looking ahead, an urgent investment of 750 million euros is proposed to prevent the Alicante–Villena highway and Alicante’s ring road from collapsing under pressure over the next decade. The new roads should be ready by 2029 when the A-31 is expected to carry about 65,102 vehicles daily, with about 15 percent heavy traffic, and the A-70 around 76,302 vehicles.
Saturation in mechanical workshops due to the lack of qualified personnel to meet the increasing demand
With millions arriving, the question remains: where are the workers? Javier Gisbert suggests reviving the apprenticeship model as a practical, medium-term solution. The writer observes a generation drawn to university degrees that lead to tourism or business administration, while graphic design and related fields draw graduates away from essential trades. Is it realistic to demand high costs from families trying to secure a stable future?
Regional authorities promise a record intake in first-year vocational education courses next year. Across the Valencian Community, thirty-two thousand students will begin VET programs, described as a historic commitment to training for the jobs of tomorrow by the regional president. For such expansion to bear fruit, VET positions must grow by at least fifty percent in the coming years, and the most remote areas require targeted access so young people do not need to travel far for work.
Forum discussions on Bilateral Vocational Education Opportunities show that more than half of the province’s forthcoming jobs will be filled by VET graduates. The collaboration between education and local business, organized by Uepal in Alicante, highlights that many projects supported by European funds may depend on a steady pipeline of skilled workers. Critics warn that employers in public works are sounding alarms about a shortage of workers and the challenge of attracting young people to these roles, despite competitive pay. Drawing a parallel, one economic thinker once noted that a country that neglects its youth loses its future.