The Alt Empordà region faces a labor market with unique characteristics, significantly influenced by the service sector and tourism, its geographical diversity, and its proximity to the border. Furthermore, the region experiences difficulties in attracting and retaining professional talent. This complex reality will be the central theme of the Fòrum Imagina: Talent, Company and Employment in the Territory.
The event, scheduled for May 20 at 10 AM at the Cercle Sport in Figueres, aims to go beyond mere diagnosis. The objective is to create a collaborative space to identify the real needs of the territory and explore viable solutions for labor challenges.
The conference will begin with an inaugural presentation by Dr. Anna Garriga, a tenured professor of Fundamentals of Economic Analysis at UdG. Subsequently, a round table will be held with the participation of various experts, including representatives from education, vocational training, the tourism sector, temporary employment agencies, and employment organizations.
Key participants will include the director of the Territorial Services of Education and Vocational Training in Girona, the president of the Association of Campsites of Girona and the Catalan Federation of Campsites, a regional director from Marlex, and the president of the Foundation of Trades. These professionals will offer their insights on how to connect businesses with training and identify the most in-demand labor profiles.
The labor market in Alt Empordà cannot be analyzed solely by unemployment figures. The region features a combination of municipalities with tourist activity, rural areas, industrial estates, commerce, services linked to mobility, and a capital, Figueres, which concentrates much of the administrative and service activity. This reality generates both opportunities and tensions, such as the need for specific profiles, the management of seasonal peaks, and employee retention.
According to Idescat data, in 2025, Alt Empordà recorded an annual average of 5,306.2 unemployed individuals, of whom 3,793.9 were in the service sector. The Alt Empordà Key Indicators Report 2025 highlights that, despite population and GDP growth in the region, the economic structure remains dependent on tourism and services.
One of the key points of the conference will be the role of vocational training and trades as a response to the real needs of businesses. The event will include a presentation of a success story by the director of the Comas Polytechnic Center and will conclude with a Q&A session, closing remarks, and a networking space to foster alliances among attending entities.
