Cantabria unveils €80 million youth employment plan and €1.3 million automotive training funding

The Cantabrian government has launched its second Youth Employment Plan, allocating more than €80 million over three years to 38 measures aimed at improving job access for people under 30. The programme was presented by the regional employment minister and was drafted with input from trade unions, business groups and other social partners.

In parallel, the region hosted the Start In Cantabria Summit at the Centro Botín in Santander. Around a hundred startups from six autonomous communities gathered for two days of talks, networking and a pitch session. Organized by the government and the regional development agency Sodercan, the event highlighted artificial‑intelligence applications, venture‑client models and financing options from bodies such as CDTI and ENISA.

Separately, Cantabria announced a €1.3 million allocation to the Talento y Empleo programme to subsidise bespoke professional training for automotive companies. The funds will support up‑skilling and re‑skilling projects for workers in vehicle manufacturing, parts production and related sectors, with applications due by mid‑November 2027.