Gipuzkoa Focuses Economic Strategy on Talent and People
The Provincial Council will invest 1.25 million euros in an Advanced Manufacturing Campus in Elgoibar, operational by 2026.
By Iker Aguirre Etxebarria
••3 min read
IA
Generic image of a robotic arm in an advanced manufacturing facility.
The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa has unveiled new initiatives and an ambitious aid program, clearly aiming to strengthen the economic fabric through talent, training, and collaboration.
In a context of profound transformations, marked by digitalization and changes in production models, the territory reinforces its commitment to preparing people for future challenges and generating real professional development opportunities in Gipuzkoa.
One initiative exemplifying this strategy is the Advanced Manufacturing Campus, to be located in Elgoibar, within the IMH Campus environment. Driven by the provincial institution and with an investment of 1.25 million euros, this space, scheduled to open by the end of 2026, aims to become a reference point for industrial talent development and the training of professionals capable of facing the challenges of advanced industry.
Talent will be the key factor driving innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth in the 21st century.
The campus will allow students and professionals to train in real and advanced environments, replicating the complete cycle of a factory through five interconnected laboratories: manufacturing, digitalization, robotics, additive manufacturing, and design. Beyond technology, it is conceived as a space for learning, experimenting, and professional growth.
It will also function as a collaboration platform among companies, technology centers, universities, and Vocational Training, facilitating knowledge transfer and shared learning. Among its cutting-edge equipment, the high-precision dBOT robot, developed by Danobat, stands out, which will advance training in advanced robotics.
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"Advanced manufacturing is a strategic sector for Gipuzkoa, but its true value lies in the people who make it possible: in their knowledge, their capacity to innovate, and their commitment to the territory."
Talent holds a central place in the provincial strategy. Unai Andueza, Deputy for Economic Promotion, stated that “Gipuzkoa is an industrial territory, but, above all, it is a territory based on talent and people.” He emphasized that “there is broad consensus that talent will be the main engine of innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth in the 21st century.”
Vocational Training plays a key role, preparing future professionals and responding to the changing needs of companies. Gipuzkoa also boasts a solid industrial tradition, a deeply rooted culture of collaboration, and a robust training ecosystem that allows it to face challenges with guarantees.
The 2026 Aid Program will mobilize over 32 million euros through 39 support lines aimed at strengthening business competitiveness. Within this plan, the People and Talent area will receive an allocation of 5,292,000 euros, intended to boost the training and development of human capital.
We have a strong industrial tradition, a culture of collaboration, a long-term vision, and a robust training ecosystem.
The goal is not only to generate talent but also to activate, support, and consolidate it in the territory, creating the conditions for people to develop their professional projects here. With initiatives such as the Advanced Manufacturing Campus —located in Elgoibar and conceived as a space for learning and professional development— and an aid program that prioritizes human capital, the Provincial Council reinforces a clear strategy: the industrial future of Gipuzkoa is built from its people.