The Community of Madrid generates 8,400 new graduates in Information and Communication Technologies each year, accounting for 21.7% of the total in Spain. The Digitalisation Minister, Miguel López-Valverde, highlighted this during his visit to the technological camp of the UPM in Cercedilla.
The Community of Madrid is consolidating its position as the country's major hub for digital talent. According to data from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the region contributes 8,400 new graduates in ICT disciplines each year, representing more than a fifth of the national total, at 21.7%.
The Digitalisation Minister, Miguel López-Valverde, presented these figures during his visit to the XIV edition of the Technological Camp of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), currently taking place at the Lucas Olazábal Residence in Cercedilla. There, young participants learn to program drones, create pieces using 3D printing, and combine technology with hiking routes and environmental education.
The appeal of technological careers in the region
Interest in technological degrees continues to grow. Since 2020, the number of new students enrolling in science, engineering, or computer science degrees in the Community of Madrid has increased at an annual rate of 4.1%, nearly one percentage point above the national average (3.2%). In the 2024/2025 academic year, nearly 15,000 students enrolled for the first time in these studies, accounting for 21% of the total new university students in the region.
López-Valverde emphasised that initiatives like the summer camp are key “to awaken vocations at an early age and help reduce social gaps in the field of innovation.” He also insisted on the need to “strengthen active collaboration between public administration, universities, and businesses to consolidate a modernisation ecosystem that leaves no one behind.”
Alliances with tech giants to train Madrilenians
The regional government has launched several initiatives to continue promoting digital training. Notably, the strategic alliance with Microsoft and Founferz has already trained over 87,000 Madrilenians through an Artificial Intelligence (AI) course, with a special focus on the responsible and ethical use of this tool in classrooms.
Collaboration with Cisco Network Academy has enabled more than 1,000 citizens to acquire new skills in cybersecurity, programming, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, alongside Telefónica, AWS, and IBM, innovation programmes and AI projects applied to public services have been launched. The partnership with Cloudera, Isaca, and Zscaler has facilitated the creation of the Madrid Data & AI Hub, a centre dedicated to training, employment, and awareness in cyber defence.
The minister did not hesitate to convey an optimistic message: “Our young people will lead digitalisation. Technological learning and respect for the natural environment are the perfect combination to nurture Madrilenian talent and ensure that the region remains a driver of competitiveness and technological progress.”
Meanwhile, in Cercedilla, camp participants alternate programming workshops with outdoor activities. This demonstrates that technology and nature are not incompatible but can work together to train the professionals of the future.
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