Tenerife Labor Market Faces Skills Gap as Vocational Training Demand Outpaces Supply
A persistent skills gap in southern Tenerife’s labor market shows that while local employers prioritize Vocational Training, nearly 67% of job seekers possess only a primary education.
As the summer season approaches, the labor market in southern Tenerife continues to face a significant structural gap, according to recent data from the Canary Islands Employment Observatory (Obecan). The figures highlight a persistent issue: while Vocational Training (FP) is the qualification most sought after by local employers, the vast majority of job seekers lack technical or higher education.
The Obecan report shows that unemployment across the region’s twelve municipalities remains stagnant, with 17,162 people currently out of work—nearly identical to the 17,118 recorded at this time last year. Academic background is a key factor in these numbers. Only 777 people with Vocational Training degrees are currently unemployed, accounting for just 4.5% of the total. In contrast, 11,463 individuals—or 66.8% of those registered—have only a primary education. This reveals a clear disconnect between the available workforce and the specialized skills local businesses need. Meanwhile, university graduates make up 4.6% of job seekers, totaling 783 people.
To address this, authorities have launched the Adeje Integrated Center, which opened last September. This facility aims to align local education with the actual needs of companies, helping to reduce the region's reliance on low-skilled labor.
The report also highlights a gender gap in the local job market, with women making up 59% of those seeking work, compared to 41% of men. This imbalance, combined with the high number of workers lacking technical training, presents a major challenge for the region. As the economy evolves, professional specialization remains the most effective way to ensure job security and long-term stability.