Canary Islands Launch €4.5 Million Employment Programme to Help Vulnerable Young People Find Work
The Canary Islands Government has announced a €4.5 million funding programme designed to help vulnerable young people gain valuable work experience and improve their chances of finding long-term employment.
The initiative, known as the Second Chance Programme, will be delivered in partnership with the Cabildos (Island Councils) and their associated public organisations across the Canary Islands. The funding is intended to support young people who have struggled to complete their education and are currently unemployed.
A Second Chance for Young Canarians
The programme is aimed at unemployed young people who are registered with Spain’s National Youth Guarantee System and who have not achieved the compulsory secondary education qualification (ESO).
Rather than simply offering temporary jobs, the scheme combines paid employment with formal training, allowing participants to develop workplace skills while continuing their education.
Successful applicants will receive:
- A paid training contract.
- Practical work experience on projects that benefit local communities.
- Accredited training to improve future employment opportunities.
- Support and guidance throughout the programme.
This approach is designed to help young people build confidence, gain qualifications and improve their prospects of securing permanent employment in the future.
How the Programme Works
Projects will run for up to 12 months, with participants splitting their time between education and work.
Around 40% of their working week will be dedicated to compulsory training in key skills, while the remaining 60% will involve paid employment carrying out work that benefits local communities and public services.
The programme covers the cost of:
- Participant salaries.
- Social Security contributions.
- Employment support staff.
- Training and guidance teams.
Participants are expected to be employed for between eight and eleven and a half months, while support staff may be contracted for up to a full year.
European Funding Supports the Initiative
The programme is backed by the Canary Islands Government through the Canary Employment Service (SCE), with 85% of the funding provided by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027 programme.
Officials say the investment reflects a commitment to improving opportunities for young people who face additional barriers when entering the labour market.
What Does This Mean for Lanzarote?
For residents of Lanzarote, the programme could provide new opportunities for young adults who have found it difficult to access education or employment.
As the initiative is being delivered through the island councils, local projects are expected to be developed that combine practical work with recognised training, helping participants gain skills that employers are looking for.
While the scheme is primarily intended for Canary Islands residents rather than visitors, it forms part of wider efforts to strengthen the local workforce and support the islands’ economy.
Applications Now Open
Island councils and their public bodies have one month to submit applications after the programme’s publication in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands. Applications will be processed electronically through the Canary Employment Service.
Why This Matters
Youth unemployment has long been one of the biggest economic challenges facing the Canary Islands. Programmes such as the Second Chance Programme aim to give young people the qualifications, experience and confidence needed to enter the workforce while helping local communities benefit from their work.
If successful, the initiative could provide hundreds of young Canarians with a genuine pathway into employment while addressing skills shortages across the islands.
