The footwear sector has long operated on two distinct production cycles: autumn-winter and spring-summer. Between these periods there are stretches of reduced activity, and at times even pauses that challenge continuity. Lately, a new labor reform has stirred debate among industry leaders, intensified by guidance from the Ministry of Labor. The decree instructs that both permanent and non-permanent employees must be classified as permanent workers if they remain unemployed for less than 60 days or for 20 percent of the yearly working days. This rule tightens the available tools for weathering slowdowns, prompting strategic concern across the industry. In response, Generalitat chairman Ximo Puig moved to build alliances with employers and unions to cushion the impact of this fixed-discontinuous regulation. With that aim, he signaled a plan to leverage production slowdowns to advance retraining and upskilling efforts, supported by collaboration between the central government and the regional administration, which would provide the necessary resources.
In this context, Consell’s president is set to meet with social partners in the near term. The proposal centers on capitalizing on production cuts to enhance education and training, aligning regional actions with national efforts and ensuring the right resources are in place to support the initiative.
“The focus is on upgrading workers’ skills and continuously updating their knowledge,” Puig stated during his visit to the Micam shoe fair in Milan. The event gathered around one hundred Spanish companies, including 43 from the province and 33 from Elche, highlighting the region’s vibrant cluster and its role in the broader European market.
The Consell president emphasized the sector’s current positive momentum while underscoring the need to reinforce the shoe industry’s position and bolster competitiveness through digitalization and professionalization. Following discussions on Monday with Rosana Perán and Marian Cano, presidents of the national employers’ association FICE and the regional association Avecal, Puig stressed that flexible, stable employment arrangements are vital for modern companies. He argued for preserving the balance of flexibility and security in working relationships to sustain growth and resilience.
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Puig suggested that designating some months of inactivity for targeted training could bolster active policy measures. He indicated that the regional government would contribute resources to foster greater stability during slow periods, reducing the burden on the state. Directing this time toward education would raise the workforce’s capabilities, with a particular emphasis on robotics, digital technologies, and related skill sets that drive competitiveness across the supply chain.
In tandem, the Consell chairman announced a new Strategic Plan for Valencia Industry, set to be unveiled in the autumn. This plan will include a dedicated program for footwear, signaling a long-term commitment to strengthening the sector’s infrastructure, innovation capacity, and export readiness.
In the first phase of the Elche Learning Factory project, the initiative will transform the old Elche Post Office building into a hub for education in enabling technologies. The goal is to deliver flexible learning pathways that merge university and vocational training with the needs of the footwear sector. The project is already in its initial phase, with leadership from the Generalitat underscoring the urgency of aligning education with industry requirements and ensuring that both higher education and practical training respond to real-world production demands.