SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 12th April – EUROPE PRESS –
The first meeting of the current term for the Industrial Observatory in the Canary Islands was chaired today by Manuel Domínguez, the Vice President and Counsellor of Economy, Industry, Commerce and the Self-Employed of the Government of the Canary Islands. The key focus of the meeting was the decision to proactively promote training to foster the growth of companies within the sector across the islands.
Emphasising the necessity for closer alignment between job supply and demand, Manuel Domínguez stated, “There is a noticeable gap between available jobs and skilled workers, hence the need to champion Dual Vocational Training to elevate the status of professions. It’s crucial to communicate to society the demand for skilled individuals such as welders, mechanics, or ship repair technicians; roles that are not only highly skilled but also well-remunerated, enabling industrial enterprises to expand and enhance their competitiveness.”
The Minister of Economy also outlined the strategic plan of the General Directorate of Industry aimed at boosting the sector’s significance within the archipelago. The 2024 budget has allocated €14.9 million to this cause with an objective to contribute towards the economic diversification of the islands.
The strategic plan comprises ten key objectives geared towards fortifying competitiveness in the industrial sector through innovation and digitalisation. Initiatives such as Industry 4.0, aligning job demand and supply through Dual Vocational Training, fostering the growth of industrial zones, encouraging female participation in the sector, internationalising Canarian industry, and promoting a circular economy associated with industry are part of the plan.
In addition, the meeting evaluated the implementation of the Canary Islands Industrial Development Strategy 2022-2027, a framework designed to uplift the islands’ industry and expedite the sector’s modernisation. The outlined actions in the strategy predominantly focus on innovation, digital transformation, industrial dual training, sustainability, collaboration amongst institutions, and the consolidation and expansion of businesses.
Established in 2009, the Canary Islands Industrial Observatory functions as a collaborative advisory body on industrial strategy, comprising representatives from the business community, workforce, universities, and various organisations and institutions associated with the sector.
