Pakistan, Spain move toward new partnership on technical training and legal workforce mobility
Barcelona: The Consulate General of Pakistan in Barcelona has made significant progress in strengthening cooperation with Spain in the fields of technical education, vocational training, and legal workforce mobility. Consul General Murad Ali Wazir, accompanied by Community Welfare Attaché Saalik Mehmood, held an important meeting with Mr. Francesc Castellana, Director of Servei d’Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC), along with his technical team.
During the meeting, both sides discussed plans to enhance collaboration between Pakistan’s technical and vocational institutions and relevant authorities in Spain. A special team from the Technical and Vocational Education section of SOC also participated, agreeing to work on verifiable, internationally acceptable certification for Pakistani workers that aligns with the demands of the Spanish job market.
Officials noted that this development would open more structured opportunities for Pakistani youth to legally enter Spain’s labour market through skill-based pathways.
Consul General Murad Ali Wazir highlighted Spain’s upcoming development projects and major international sporting events, noting that these activities will significantly increase the demand for manpower in construction, hospitality, logistics, agriculture, and healthcare sectors. He emphasized that more than 60% of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, and with world-class technical training and Spain-recognized certification, Pakistani youth can contribute positively and legally to Spain’s workforce.
SOC Director Francesc Castellana fully endorsed Pakistan’s proposal, acknowledging the genuine need for skilled manpower across the mentioned sectors. He stressed that Spain is committed to discouraging irregular migration while promoting legal, safe, and organized migration channels. Castellana assured that SOC, along with relevant institutions, will work seriously toward establishing a mechanism for recruiting trained and certified workers from Pakistan.
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Barcelona confirmed that it remains in continuous coordination with Spanish authorities and technical institutions to develop an effective and sustainable framework. The goal is to support legal workforce mobility from Pakistan while helping Spain meet its growing labour requirements.