A talent recruitment program by the Unió Intersectorial d'Empresaris del Ripollès (UIER) has triggered interest in living in the region. It is a platform that, in addition to being a job board, includes links to real estate agencies and other services to help those who want to live in the region take the step. "We wanted to bring in talent from outside because we are an aging region and many profiles are needed, but we did not expect this response," explains Training Manager, Anna Prieto.
From the 1,500 visits to the website in 2022, it has increased to 32,000 and with interactions exceeding 1,500. "There are many people who want to change and live close to nature." The employers warn of a structural limitation, the lack of housing, a problem that prevents completing contracts.
"We have job offers and powerful companies, we just need to complement the housing." This is the bittersweet feeling that the UIER employers' association has as a result of the exponential growth that the Viu i Treballa program has had.
The program was already underway a few years ago, but in 2022 they gave it a new boost by linking it to necessary services and reinforcing support with the hiring of one more technician.
The result has exceeded expectations, according to Prieto, who assures that the region and especially its natural environment has become a desired destination.
Since July 2022, they have guided 313 people, of which 25 have changed their residence to Ripollès. "And we could expand much more if there were housing," she remarks.
Laia Bacarises is an example. Coming from Molins de Rei, she had been a kindergarten teacher for 15 years and has been living in Ribes de Freser for six months where she has opened a cafeteria that was transferred, turning her love for pastries into her new profession. "
To get out of the stress of the city, I had a lot in mind to go live in a mountain town, close to nature, to improve quality of life," he explains. A few months ago he learned about the transfer of the business and, when visiting the town He saw it clearly. He also says that the reception from the neighbors has been very good.
He is one of the people who has taken part in the Viu i Treballa program and gives a very positive assessment. "They have helped me a lot with the business process," she says. From her experience, it is clear to her that homelessness is the biggest problem. "Many young people want to come live in nature and more businesses could open, but it makes it very difficult," she says. In her case, she cried out and finally managed to find a rental apartment.
Ainhoa Dols is a 24-year-old girl who left Rubí two months ago to go live in Ripoll. She explains that she found out about the program thanks to social networks and that, after contacting the promoters, they did an interview via videoconference and everything started moving. "I came alone and I want to combine it with continuing studying," she says.
His dream would be to dedicate himself to the primary sector. She has studied administration, worked in a gardening company and is now at the reception and as a waitress at Solana del Ter, in Ripoll. "Having everything full of mountains or being able to go to the river or to small shops" are some of the aspects that she values most.
I had been thinking about leaving the city for a long time, but I didn't imagine that I would end up in Ripollès. "You have to have an open mind because there are not as many facilities as a shopping center or fifteen supermarkets, but I like it and I encourage those who want a change in lifestyle," she emphasizes.
Thanks to the program and his "persistence" in calling real estate agencies, he has been able to make his dream come true. "I'm very happy about the change," she says.
Anna Prieto also explains that real estate agencies, for their part, ask for "references" from potential tenants to ensure that they have a good profile.
Who is also very grateful to the program is Teresó Casas, manager of the hotel business. "She has done very well for us because we are very happy with Ainhoa's work and how she has integrated, she seems happy and that makes us happy."
The manager admits that it is difficult for them to find candidates when they are on sick leave due to the schedules involved in this sector. In the case of kitchen workers, for example, they ask that the person live in the area. And therefore, if it is someone from outside, like Ainhoa, moving to the region is essential to make it viable.
They are currently looking for different profiles and she is "very satisfied" with how the Viu i Treballa platform works. "It's a good tool," she adds.
The Sodeca Group of Ripoll also has "many difficulties" in finding technical and specialized personnel, profiles that are "indispensable" for its activity, admits the head of HR, Núria Casas.
"Our region is very small, with limited labor and with much more supply because we are different companies that are looking for talent and many of us match the same profiles," he details. To find operators, however, the difficulties are minor.
They are currently looking for a dozen candidates for different positions and use all types of channels to search for them.
"The pressure is high and we are covering it, but not with the deadlines we would like; the (search and hiring) processes take a long time when the need is immediate," he says.
Thanks to the UIER program, they have hired two people from outside Ripollès and they give a very positive assessment. He also believes that the lack of housing slows down the region's hiring possibilities.
The UIER highlights that there is a lack of houses with gardens and housing with more open spaces, rather than apartments, because what the most trained professionals want is to "improve quality of life" because many already live in an apartment in the metropolitan area.
"Being close to nature and having open spaces is what they ask for most," adds Prieto. But to solve it, they say, the involvement of the administrations and the commitment of the promoters and construction companies are necessary.
