The Strategic Plan to roll out quality employment policies across the city is the result of a consensus between Barcelona Activa (the agency leading and coordinating the initiative), the Catalan Public Employment Service and key social and economic stakeholders, as well as civil society and third-sector organisations from the city and metropolitan area.

The action plan includes guidance and support; training and skills development; grants, public funding and financial assistance and collaboration with social and economic agents.

What does quality employment entail?

The agreement defines quality employment as one that guarantees the following principles:

• Work stability
• Minimum wage adjusted to the city’s cost of living
• Appropriate working hours and work flexibility
• Continual training and skills development to improve competence and competitiveness
• Work organisation and a balance between personal, family and professional life
• Safe and ethical workplaces that cater for the needs of their employees
• Labour representation and the protection of workers’ rights
• Inclusion of young people in the job market
• Diversity and non-discrimination in access to resources and the job market for all individuals, under any circumstances

A total of 40 key performance indicators have been established to facilitate the monitoring of progress on the agreement through data sharing. Additionally, a composite index is being developed to measure employment quality, with more effort being devoted to supporting the two most vulnerable groups in the labour market: people over 45 and young people who left school early.

One notable achievement was the development and launch of the new 2024–2030 Quality Youth Employment Plan. The plan aims to increase employment among 15- to 29-year-olds by promoting career guidance, professional qualifications, diverse talents and entrepreneurship. With a budget of €100 million, the plan will support 30,000 young people each year.