The EMPLOY +35 programme concluded its seventh edition on 19 June with an event that combined networking and the presentation of the programme’s final project. The event brought together participants, collaborating entities, and a dozen companies that opened their doors to the talent of those seeking a new opportunity in the job market.
The closure featured speeches from Laura Ojeda Sarmiento, activity coordinator of Fundación MAPFRE Canarias, and Bárbara Vicente Sarmiento, operations director of the Fundación Universitaria de Las Palmas (FULP).
The activity coordinator of Fundación MAPFRE Canarias, host of the event, explained that this final event of the programme “is an opportunity for participants to showcase their talent and all they’ve learned during the programme to an important group of collaborating companies.” Ojeda highlighted the programme’s success, noting that “these years of progress and the results obtained support that it is not only a high-quality programme but also very necessary.”
Meanwhile, the operations director of the FULP specifically thanked the companies participating in the networking sessions “for supporting the programme and recognising the talent of this group”, which, she states, “are a less visible group with few options to participate in employability improvement programmes specific to these ages.” She also thanked the Fundación MAPFRE Canarias for their trust in the programme and the teams of both institutions, as without them it wouldn’t be possible, and concluded with words for the group of participants: “you are the fundamental pillar of this project because you have not only the talent but also the attitude, which is why we congratulate you for being here and wanting to be here.”
Organised by the Fundación Universitaria de Las Palmas and Fundación MAPFRE Canarias, EMPLOY +35 is not just a course: it is a transformative experience. With an integrated approach to employability, this four-month programme offered its 25 participants an intensive process of personal, emotional, and professional development.
The programme is designed to holistically address the dimensions of the human being: biological, cognitive, social-labour, and ethical. Creative thinking is promoted as a tool to overcome personal challenges and those of the labour market.
The contents of this edition included 15 workshops with topics such as personal branding, mental health, emotional management, successful interviews, entrepreneurship, and effective communication, among others. This was complemented by specialised advice in areas like psychology, human resources, technology, and finance, along with individual mentoring, allowing each participant to define their professional roadmap.
The closing day held on 19 June was also a networking meeting, with the participation of 10 companies and entities like FUNDACIÓN NOS MOVEMOS, LEMONTIK, GRUPO MARTINÓN, MAPFRE, DOMINGO ALONSO GROUP, SATOCAN, SPAR, AKKACENTER, FUNDACIÓN ESCUELA TERESIANA, and FEMEPA. Attendees were able to present their profiles and establish direct professional contacts.
During the event, a collaborative project created by the participants was presented, and completion certificates were awarded. Emotion and pride marked the end of an edition committed to transforming lives through training, motivation, and confidence.
The group of participants in this seventh edition consisted of professionals from various fields — from administration and education to technology or psychology — who were unemployed and wished to redirect their career paths. The profiles show a high level of academic training (university or higher vocational training) and a strong willingness to change.
During his speech, Aldemar Almeida González, a participant in the seventh edition, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this programme “for those young ones turning grey who are a bit lost.” He started without much faith, and today, he states, “I am here clearly understanding that we seek to find our place. We are strong, creative people eager to reinvent ourselves.”
Ana Henríquez Ruiz read a text titled Light written for her participation in this programme which, she emphasises, “has helped me understand what I am worth and why I am here. This programme has helped me find the answer to all those questions and invest in myself. Today I can say that I am a success story of the programme.”
According to Samuel Santana Mendoza, EMPLOY +35 was “an experiential journey at first a little dark” due to being people self-conscious about age and unemployment. Samuel highlights that “working with peers opens your eyes and helps you see that we are people with many abilities and personal qualities. We were invisible people, and we found professionals, companies, and peers who offered us an opportunity to rediscover ourselves.”
Since its creation, EMPLOY +35 has involved more than 140 people over its seven editions. Thanks to the programme’s customised model and practical approach, an employability rate of 65% has been achieved, positioning it as a benchmark initiative for the +35 group in the Canary Islands.
EMPLOY +35 exemplifies the commitment of Fundación MAPFRE Canarias and the Fundación Universitaria de Las Palmas to a population often forgotten in the job market, demonstrating that reinventing oneself after 35 is not only possible but necessary and valuable for society.
