The WORKinn Talent Hub, a fully integrated space dedicated to industrial employment, was officially inaugurated today at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre as part of the International Machine-Tool Exhibition.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mikel Torres, Second Vice Lehendakari and Basque Government Minister for Economy, Labour and Employment, along with Teresa Laespada, Provincial Deputy for Employment, Social Cohesion and Equality of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.
The initiative aims to strengthen connections between the industrial sector and emerging talent by providing a dedicated platform focused on employment opportunities within manufacturing and advanced industry.
The Second Vice Lehendakari and Minister for Economy, Labour and Employment, Mikel Torres, stressed that Euskadi is facing “the greatest generational replacement challenge in its recent history, with more than 625,000 job opportunities expected by 2036, 83% of which will be linked to retirements.” In this context, he insisted that “we cannot afford to waste talent” and advocated for close collaboration between institutions and companies, reinforcing the role of Lanbide — the Basque Public Employment Service — as a strategic partner to anticipate needs, train suitable profiles, and connect people with real employment opportunities.
For her part, Deputy Laespada stated that “Bizkaia must continue to firmly support industrial employment. Here, from the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, we will maintain a strategic vision and a clear political commitment. We need industry to grow in a resilient and sustainable way, enabling us to build a cohesive society,” she added.
WORKinn has become a strategic meeting point for companies, institutions, training centres and professionals in the industrial field. On 4 and 5 March, the space hosts its core activity, the Employment Forum, designed to facilitate direct contact between companies seeking talent and individuals actively looking for new professional opportunities.
Over the course of these days, more than thirty companies and organisations will present over 370 job opportunities and will bring their active recruitment processes to WORKinn, along with the most in‑demand profiles in the industrial sector today.
In addition to the Employment Forum, WORKinn offers various complementary areas throughout the week. The Inspire Zone presents an educational and interactive journey through different stations focused on areas such as design, programming, manufacturing, assembly and metrology, showcasing the skills and professional pathways linked to advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Food & Art area adds a more experiential dimension, combining culinary offerings with an initiative aimed at exploring the connections between art and industry.
Held within the framework of BIEMH — featuring 1,503 exhibiting companies from 34 countries — WORKinn strengthens its capacity to generate connections between people and companies, responding to one of the sector’s major current challenges: attracting and developing talent.
WORKinn Talent Hub for BIEMH is supported by the Department of Employment, Social Cohesion and Equality of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia; DEMA; Lanbide; and the Basque Government’s Department of Economy, Labour and Employment. It is organised by the AFM Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing and Bilbao Exhibition Centre.
