Over Half of Maresme Youth Find Employment Through Support Program

The Youth Employment Support Program (SOJ) of the Maresme Regional Council has enabled 51% of participants to secure jobs and 30.39% to resume their studies.

Generic image of young hands browsing job offers on a tablet.
IA

Generic image of young hands browsing job offers on a tablet.

The Youth Employment Support Program (SOJ) of the Maresme Regional Council has proven effective, with 51% of young participants finding employment and 30.39% resuming their studies over the past year.

This initiative, promoted by the Catalonia Employment Service and funded by the European Social Fund Plus, provides personalized guidance to young people aged 16 to 29, helping them define their professional projects and enhance their employability.
During 2025, the program received 276 applications and initiated 73 new orientation processes, assisting a total of 102 young individuals. The municipalities with the highest participation included Premià de Mar, Canet de Mar, Arenys de Mar, Malgrat de Mar, Tordera, and Palafolls.
The majority of participants, aged between 16 and 24, often lack post-compulsory education, with 57% not having completed their ESO (compulsory secondary education). These figures highlight the SOJ program's crucial role in improving employability and preventing labor exclusion.
Job placements were primarily concentrated in the commerce, marketing, hospitality, and tourism sectors, though opportunities also arose in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and industry. The program conducted 284 personalized tutorials and utilized digital channels like WhatsApp and Instagram for follow-up, in addition to participating in career fairs and organizing workshops.