The City Council of Madrid has launched the 'Verano Joven 2026' campaign with 800 free training places for people aged 16 to 30. The courses, ranging from lifeguarding to digital skills, aim to improve the employability of young people.
The City Council of Madrid has initiated the 'Verano Joven 2026' campaign, offering 800 places in free training courses for young people aged between 16 and 30. The initiative, presented this Saturday by the delegate for Social Policies, Family and Equality, José Fernández, aims to enhance the employability of Madrid residents and facilitate their access to the job market. The courses will take place during July, August, and September at various municipal facilities.
Practical and theoretical training for employment
The delegate visited the World Swimming Centre 86 (M86), in the Retiro district, where the water fitness instructor course is being taught, with 25 students enrolled. This training, lasting 50 teaching hours, combines 40 theoretical hours and 10 supervised practical hours, and is organised by the Madrid Lifesaving and Lifeguarding Federation. Participants acquire skills to obtain the corresponding accreditation.
Fernández spoke with one of the students, who also attends a lifeguarding course from Monday to Friday. "This is the purpose, this is our idea of work and we will continue like this," said the delegate, highlighting the commitment to continuous training. The City Council schedules these courses in three annual campaigns (spring, summer, and autumn) to boost youth employability and, in many cases, guide young people towards specific trades.
In addition to job training, the initiative aims to promote personal development and socialisation among young people with common interests. Throughout 2026, the City Council will offer a total of 2,670 training places in various professional fields, according to municipal sources.
Intensive mode and professional certificates
Most of the training combines practical and theoretical teaching, and several are offered in intensive mode during holiday periods so that young people can balance them with their studies. Depending on the course, a diploma or completion certificate is awarded, and some accreditation documents qualify participants for professional practice, as in the case of sports instructor courses.
José Fernández emphasised that the Area of Social Policies, Family and Equality works in collaboration with the Madrid Employment Agency to tailor the training offer to the profiles demanded by the job market. "We base ourselves on the data provided by the Agency to adjust the courses to real needs," he explained.
Within the 'Verano Joven 2026' campaign, young people in Madrid can access training in lifeguarding, pool maintenance, canoeing instructor, floor pilates or volleyball, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator, ropework and racket workshop, digital skills, sign language, waiter assistant, food handling, pastry and baking, artisanal bread making, forklift assistant, or radio. A varied offer that, in addition to improving the CV, allows participants to discover new vocations.
How to register and deadlines
Those interested can consult the complete offer and formalise their registration through the City Council of Madrid's website, in the Youth section. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended not to delay the process. The courses take place in various municipal centres throughout the capital, with flexible schedules to adapt to students' needs. For more information, young people can visit the youth information centres in their districts.
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