Top 10 In-Demand Skills in Spain

Spain is a country that has witnessed consistent development, with industries changing, and employment growing as never before. Last year, Spain created 780,000 new jobs, more than ever before, 44% of all new jobs in the Eurozone. One of the reasons is 2.5% economic growth.

From digital IT expertise to innovative marketing and communication skills, employers in Spain are actively seeking individuals who are equipped to thrive in this dynamic landscape. With its robust economic growth and a flourishing job market, Spain is fast becoming a hub for talent ready to shape the industries of tomorrow.

Spanish Work Culture

The work culture in Spain is a unique blend of professionalism and a relaxed, social atmosphere. It reflects a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity, creating a workplace environment that is both efficient and enjoyable. Here are the key aspects of Spanish work culture:

• Work-Life Balance: Spain balances traditional work hours with modern flexibility. While mid-day breaks are common, many companies are adopting flexible and remote work options to match evolving needs.
• Hierarchical but Inclusive: A clear hierarchy of an organization is present in the Spanish work culture. However, an employee’s input and suggestions are valued while decisions are made within the latter framework.
• Punctuality and Formality: Whether it comes to conduct or deadlines, punctuality is taken seriously in Spanish workplaces. Nonetheless, colleagues are friendly, and they like to keep the work environment light.
• Employee Protection and Labor Laws: Spain’s labor laws prioritize employee welfare with robust job security and well-defined rights. Professionals receive benefits such as generous paid leave, creating a supportive and balanced work environment.

What Skills are in Demand in Spain?

Now you know some of the Spanish workplace values, it is time to have a look at the skills that you could acquire to secure a job in Spain. Engineering, supply chain management, marketing, etc. are in high demand.

1. Supply Chain Management

According to C3S Business School, learning supply chain management can give you strong job opportunities in Spain, where the sector generates over a million jobs and 10% of the country’s GDP. Spain’s location as a hub for international trade routes, plus the rise of e-commerce and the expansion of logistics infrastructures and the Mediterranean and Atlantic Corridors have created a growing need for people who can manage complex supply chains. Getting expertise in this area will give you better job prospects as demand for supply chain managers is on the rise.

2. Artificial Intelligence

According to a recent report by IndesIA, an association promoting AI in Spain’s industry, AI and data skills are in high demand. In 2023, 24% of the 120,000 tech jobs offered in Spain required data skills, and this will rise to 30%.

Despite this growth, 30% of AI and machine learning roles were empty due to talent shortage. IndesIA warns that if the talent gap is not addressed, the demand-supply imbalance will quadruple by 2025. Learning AI skills now will give you better job prospects in Spain’s growing tech industry.

3. Healthcare Skills

Spain has the fewest nurses in Europe, so there is a shortage of healthcare staff. To match the European average, Spain needs 95,000 more nurses. There are 5,000 doctors missing in the National Health System, and the gap in nursing professionals is even bigger.

Looking ahead, it will get worse as 80,000 doctors and 60,000 nurses will retire in the next few years. This is a great opportunity for those entering the medical field to get a stable and rewarding career in Spain’s healthcare sector.

4. Hospitality Skills

In Spain, the hospitality industry is facing a skills gap, with tens of thousands of pubs and restaurants positions unfilled in 2024. This is a broader trend, as the Spanish hospitality sector will need to fill 900,000 jobs by 2030. The demand for skilled individuals is a great opportunity for those looking for stable employment in one of Spain’s most important and dynamic sectors.

5. Driving Skills

The shortage of professional truck drivers is a growing problem across Europe, with estimates that over 745,000 drivers will be missing by 2028. Spain is working to fill this gap and is creating opportunities for skilled professionals. 

The Ministries of Transport, Social Security, and Interior are simplifying the process of hiring qualified truck drivers from non-European countries as long as they have a valid driver’s license. They plan to recruit up to 26,000 Moroccan drivers, so this is a great opportunity for those with the right skills to make truck driving an in-demand profession for those looking to work in Spain’s logistics sector.

6. Cyber Security

The growth of IoT, 5G, and connected devices in Spain is increasing the number of potential security threats. So the authorities are hiring experts to prevent unauthorized access and vulnerabilities.

As the demand for cybersecurity grows, the job market is growing fast, with 18% by 2024 and over 15,000 new job openings. By 2025, the cybersecurity sector in Spain will grow 12% annually, with 35,000 unfilled positions, so we need skilled professionals in this sector.

7. Renewable Energy Skills

Renewable energy is key to Spain’s energy transition and now accounts for 50.3% of electricity generation in 2024. This is thanks to the weather, with wind farms accounting for 24.4%, solar plants for 16%, and hydropower dams for 15.9%. This matches Spain’s target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030.

Across the renewable energy sector, there are 81,000 direct and indirect employees and nearly 4,000 companies driving this growth. As the sector grows, the demand for skilled workers is increasing. Wind energy alone needs over 40,000 professionals, with this number expected to double by 2030. So there are plenty of opportunities for skilled people to be part of Spain’s green energy future.

8. ICT Skills

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills are in demand in Spain as the country is digitizing. According to European Commission’s Digital Skills and Jobs Platform, Spain is aiming to match the EU’s goals, which is that 80% of the population should have basic digital skills by 2030.

There’s a shortage of professionals in various ICT areas, including software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity in Spain. The report states that only 56% of the Spanish population has adequate digital skills, below the EU average of 60%.

As businesses across industries digitalise and look to increase productivity, the demand for ICT talent will grow. Education and training in ICT will be crucial to have the workforce ready for this digital world.

9. Cloud Solutions Architect

In 2024, Cloud Solutions Architect was the 4th highest paying tech job in Spain. Professionals in this role can expect to earn between €65,000 and €80,000 per year, which is in high demand and value in the market.

In Madrid specifically, Glassdoor estimates the total pay for a Cloud Solutions Architect to be around €62,500 per year, with an average base salary of €52,500. This is a very lucrative career path as businesses in Spain are adopting more and more cloud technologies. Having cloud architecture skills will open doors to great opportunities in the Spanish tech industry.

10. Construction Skills

Spain has a skills gap in the construction industry. 60% of the workers don’t have professional or higher education, compared to 40% in other sectors. This is a challenge but also an opportunity for those who want to enter the industry and get the skills.

The industry will grow steadily from 2025 to 2028 with a 3% annual growth. Investments in construction, transport, renewable energy, and manufacturing will drive the demand for skilled professionals. This is a great career path for those who want to build their future in construction.

How to Get Ready for The Spanish Job Market?

As you prepare for the Spanish job market. Here are some options to choose from.

The Spanish Pathway Nursing program at CEU Cardenal Herrera University:

The Spanish Pathway Nursing program at CEU Cardenal Herrera University is an entry route for international students who want to study nursing in Spain. This program allows students to learn Spanish while studying nursing, so it’s open to non-Spanish speakers.

The curriculum includes fundamental nursing subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and patient care, plus language training. This way, students will learn medical knowledge and develop communication skills to interact with patients in Spanish-speaking healthcare environments.

Le Wagon’s Data Analytics course in Madrid:

Le Wagon’s Data Analytics course in Madrid is a hands-on program for anyone who wants to become a data analyst. Over 9 weeks, students will learn to manipulate data, build dashboards, and get actionable insights using Excel, SQL, and Python. The curriculum is project-based, so students will work on real world projects and build a portfolio of work. With a focus on collaboration and problem-solving, the course prepares students for data-driven roles across all industries. This intensive experience will give graduates the skills to succeed in the data analytics field.

EC-Council Cyber Security Courses:

EC-Council has a wide range of cybersecurity courses in Spain to get professionals skilled to protect information systems. The training covers areas like ethical hacking, network defense, and incident response to give a solid foundation in cybersecurity. 

Courses like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) are hands-on and real-world and focused on preparing participants for any type of cybersecurity challenge. With the high demand for cybersecurity experts, these courses will help you to gain knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the fast-changing world of cybersecurity.

Conclusion

The Spanish job market needs many skills across different sectors, from supply chain management to cybersecurity and healthcare. As Spain recovers economically, investing in education and training will be key to success. Whether you are interested in nursing, data analytics, or cybersecurity, there are many options for getting skills.

If you want to improve your and your employees' skills, check out Edstellar’s courses to learn the competencies needed to succeed in the Spanish job market. You can also use Skill Matrix to analyze gaps.