The longer someone is out of work, the tougher it becomes to rejoin the job market. This is a reality many policymakers aim to address through placement and retraining programs, yet the task is complicated by the current economic climate. In Alicante, long-term unemployment has reached its highest level since 2015, driven in part by the persistent effects of the Great Recession and more recently by the health crisis and geopolitical tensions. Among the unemployed, 62,800 individuals have been without work for more than two years, with women accounting for about 65 percent. This trend mirrors broader societal impacts, including the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which have intensified labor market challenges. Before the health crisis in 2019, the number of long-term unemployed people in this category stood at 42,500, and the recent rise has added roughly 20,000 on top of that figure. [Citation: SEPE employment statistics and regional labor reports]
According to the Public State Employment Service (SEPE), to find figures higher than today’s numbers, one must look back to the post-crisis period following the brick-and-mortar collapse. The 2008 crisis hit the construction sector hardest, with many workers pushed out of the labor market. As that industry faltered and the broader real estate bubble burst, unemployment spread to other sectors, creating a lasting drag on employment opportunities. [Citation: SEPE historical data]
The difficulty of finding a job in such a challenging era led to a steady rise in the number of people unemployed for more than 24 months. The peak occurred in 2013, when 69,800 residents were recorded as long-term unemployed. Since then, the figures gradually declined, but by 2015 the count remained high at 63,400. [Citation: regional labor statistics]
Turning point
This period marks the last time the long-term unemployed exceeded current levels. The turning point, the moment numbers began to climb again, coincided with the onset of the pandemic. In 2019, unemployment in this segment bottomed at 42,500; by the following year, it had risen to 48,100, and the upward trajectory continued, reaching 62,800 as the virus spread. Notably, women accounted for 40,900 of those affected, underscoring ongoing gender disparities in the labor market. [Citation: regional SEPE and labor studies]
The pandemic played a major role in shaping this evolution, and the war in Ukraine further contributed to continued economic instability even after the worst health impacts subsided. These factors collectively slowed the rebound for long-term job seekers and reinforced the need for targeted policy responses. [Citation: economic impact reports]
Government approves plan to employ long-term unemployed
The overall pace of employment recovery has not uniformly benefited the long-term unemployed. Yaissel Sánchez, general secretary of the UGT at l’Alacantí and Les Marines, notes that many of these workers are around fifty years old or older. He observes that some are unable to re-enter the job market after Covid-19 because employers tend to favor younger, better-educated candidates. This reality makes active relocation policies and enhanced retraining essential, since vocational training cannot be reserved only for younger workers.
However, the union leader also stresses that companies play a crucial role, arguing that the talent and experience of these workers should not be wasted. Their knowledge still has significant value to employers who recognize the benefits of seasoned expertise.
Labora promotes recruiting programs
The Generalitat is promoting several initiatives to boost hiring among long-term unemployed individuals. Rocío Briones, director general of Employment and Education at Labora, explains that the pandemic created gaps in re-entry opportunities, which has led to programs like Avalem Experiencia. These efforts combine public employment plans, personalized pathways, training courses, and recruiting assistance to help return-to-work journeys. Briones emphasizes special attention to women through the Avalem Dones program and mentions studies aimed at identifying sectors where women remain underrepresented, with the goal of balancing participation across the economy. [Citation: Labora program descriptions and government briefings]