Employment in Spain's skilled trades sector grew by 4% year over year in the first quarter, reaching a total of 1.4 million workers. This figure marks a significant recovery, placing employment levels 338,000 positions above the low point recorded in 2020. Randstad Spain, which tracked 13 distinct trade categories for its report, attributes this growth to the ongoing demand for specialized professionals such as plumbers, carpenters, and electricians.
Bricklayers remain the largest segment of the skilled workforce, accounting for nearly 28% of the total number of individuals employed in these trades. Regional data indicates a high concentration of these roles, with nearly 60% of all skilled trades professionals located in Andalusia, Catalonia, Madrid, and Valencia. Andalusia currently leads the nation with more than 254,000 workers.
Demographic trends show that the sector is still dominated by men, who represent 97.3% of the workforce. However, the report highlights a shift in age demographics. While the 45-to-54 age bracket remains the largest group, there is a marked influx of younger workers entering the field. The number of laborers between 16 and 24 years old increased by 37.3% compared to the previous year, while the number of carpenters in the same age group rose by 38.2%.
Foreign nationals also play a major role in the Spanish skilled trades labor market, comprising over 500,000 of the total 1.4 million workers. As the industry continues to prioritize infrastructure and maintenance projects, the demand for these specialized skills remains high across the country.