Today, the European Commission proposed to support 303 workers dismissed by aluminium producer Alu Ibérica in the region of Galicia in Spain with €1.2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). The funding will help them find new jobs through tailored guidance and advice, vocational training and job-matching.

Spain applied for EGF funding support to help the workers dismissed by Alu Ibérica LC S.L., which declared bankruptcy. Alu Ibérica produced primary aluminium from mined ore. Due to increased energy and raw material prices the company had to shut down.

The EU-funded support to the dismissed workers includes advisory services, job search assistance and job-matching, as well as tailored vocational upskilling and reskilling. The workers also receive training in key skills and knowledge they need to find a new job, including basic IT skills, warehouse operations and logistics, and new welding techniques, as well as support in getting their skills and prior working and learning experience formally recognised. In addition, participants are eligible for an incentive of €200 per month, for a period of six months, if they return to the job market quickly.