Valencia Digital Zone Launches Talent Zone Initiative through Collaborative Tender
Five seasoned technology firms participated in the tender, bringing a portfolio of experience and prestige to the process. After a thorough evaluation period, Innova Next, SLU emerged as the chosen partner to fulfill the governance team services required for launching the Talent Zone, the engine that will drive education and promotion of technological and digital employment.
The Talent Zone is designed to act as a catalyst for learning and career opportunities, addressing the shortage of skilled labor needed to operate within the new economy across the Valencian Community. The program will reference several initiatives aimed at attracting talent, simplifying pathways for talent transfer, and promoting the activities of this project through an open content platform that facilitates creation, activation, and dissemination.
The contract was publicly tendered with a base annual budget of 881,358.76 euros and the option to extend for a further year. It will be integrated with the Digital Zone’s technology ecosystem in the Valencia Community and will operate in coordination with the regional government offices and the public employment and training services. The Digital Zone serves as a regional instrument to boost growth and competitiveness in the Valencian economy. It positions the Valencian Community within the global technology ecosystem, offering a distinctive environment and services recognized by companies and professionals. This setup enables firms to reach full potential, attract talent, and foster the exchange of digital knowledge among companies and key stakeholders.
Antonio Rodes, managing director of SPTD, noted that there is a notable shortage of industry professionals across Europe, Spain, and the Valencian Community, a shortage that hampers the modernization and development of the economic framework. The Talent Zone trainings will target young people, professionals seeking to transition into the digital world, the long-term unemployed, and workers aiming to upskill with new technical competencies in digital technologies.
The winning company will be responsible for establishing the Talent Zone and will undertake the following functions:
- To conduct ongoing research to identify the subjects that training programs should emphasize
- To create and annually update talent maps
- To build and manage a digital talent community with content and an open platform for dissemination
- To establish and manage a partner ecosystem that includes schools, educational institutions, education administrations, education firms, and companies with talent demand
- To coordinate training agents
- To propose funding models
- To coordinate a network of 350 regional agents who recruit students and provide training, information and follow-up to become effective messengers and participants in Talent Zone activities
This initiative aims to bridge skills gaps and accelerate workforce development across the Valencian Community by leveraging a robust ecosystem of education, industry, and public administration. The Talent Zone will serve as a centralized hub for talent discovery, skill advancement, and career opportunities in the digital economy, aligning training with real market needs and industry demands.