Free Ecological Agriculture Course Opens for Estepona Job Seekers

Unemployed residents can now apply for a free course in ecological agriculture, offering 310 hours of training and internships to boost local employment

This is a chance for unemployed residents to gain new skills in a growing field. Estepona Town Hall has announced a free ecological agriculture course, part of a provincial initiative to boost employment.

The course will run for 310 hours over three months, combining theoretical and practical training. Specific training will comprise 120 hours, complemented by 150 hours of tutored professional internships, 30 hours of transversal and complementary training, and 10 hours of tutorials and job orientation. This pathway aims to provide participants with professional competencies and integrate them into the labour market through training adapted to current demands.

This training is part of the 'EnRuta' project, led by the Diputación Provincial de Málaga. Its aim is to improve employability and living conditions for unemployed individuals through tailored training pathways that include specific training, professional internships, complementary training, and individual and group support for job searching.

Who Can Apply and How

Those interested in participating must be unemployed and registered as job seekers with public employment services. Particular attention is given to long-term unemployed individuals, those over 45 – especially women – and people with a recognised disability of 33 per cent or more. Nationals of third countries, people of foreign origin, and those in socio-economically vulnerable situations are also prioritised. Candidates who have not previously participated in FSE+-funded training are also favoured.

Participants who meet the economic criteria outlined in the call may receive financial assistance. This aid is linked to attendance at specific training and professional internships, provided they complete at least 75 per cent of the training pathway.

The application period for this ninth call of the EnRuta project opens on 20 October and runs until 3 November 2026, inclusive. Applications should preferably be submitted via the Diputación Provincial de Málaga's electronic office at https://sede.malaga.es/ied-proyectoenruta9convocatoria. Further details on requirements, necessary documentation, and other information about the procedure are available on the Diputación de Málaga website: https://www.malaga.es/empleo/1418/com1_md2_cd-1078/enruta.

The EnRuta project is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+), as part of the Employment, Education, Training and Social Economy (EFESO) Programme for the 2021-2027 programming period. This initiative seeks to bring training and employment opportunities closer to unemployed people in the province, facilitating the acquisition of professional skills and promoting their incorporation into the labour market.