The Pact for Skills is pleased to announce the addition of a new Regional Skills Partnership focused on the long-term care sector in Spain's Basque Country. The ZainLab Regional Skills Partnership will upskill and reskill the local workforce, generating quality employment in the long-term care sector.
Faced with a rapidly ageing population, nearly 30% of residents in the Basque Country will be over the age of 65 by 2036, with life expectancy among the highest in Europe – 89 years for women and 84 for men.
However, longer life expectancy is increasing chronic illness and dependency, especially among older women, while rising numbers of elderly people living alone need specialised care services.
As such, the long-term care sector is expected to grow but it faces an impending workforce shortage and therefore must adapt to meet evolving needs.
In addition, many roles are filled by migrant women working under challenging conditions, often without legal protections. Despite its importance, this segment of the workforce remains undervalued, highlighting the need for reform and recognition in the care economy.
The ambition
The ZainLab Regional Skills Partnership will respond to the growing needs of an ageing population by improving training and working conditions, especially for private sector carers.
Additionally, upskilling and reskilling will equip professionals to handle increasingly complex care needs.
To attract new talent, the Partnership will enhance the sector’s appeal and use a dedicated observatory to turn employment and training data into insights for future policy and workforce planning.
The commitments
Driven by its commitment to strengthen the long-term care sector, the Partnership will support the professionalisation of care workers. By fostering continuous, tailored skills development, it ensures that care workers are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the Basque Country’s elderly population – delivering high-quality care where it is needed most.
The Partnership will advocate for a broader set of skills essential for care workers. It will promote intercultural awareness, physical wellbeing, and psychosocial health, empowering care workers to navigate the complex and evolving challenges of the sector. This will ensure that care workers are prepared, resilient, and responsive in the face of change.
To make long-term care a more appealing and valued career path, the Partnership will work to raise the sector’s visibility and highlight its key role in society. By sparking interest in both caregiving and support roles, it aims to attract new talent committed to providing quality care.
Finally, the Partnership will drive innovation through pilot projects and promoting specialised employment and social support within long-term care – laying the foundation for a more resilient care system.
Find out more in the Partnership Declaration below:
Details
- Publication date
- 28 October 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion