Pretty seaside town gets £2.9 million boost to battle unemployment

A Costa del Sol resort has received a major boost to its economy thanks to a new employment training centre. Nerja lies in Spain’s Axarquía, an area to the east of Malaga province, that is characterised by a varied landscape of stunning coastlines and towering mountains.

The resort is famous for its beaches and the Nerja Caves that were discovered in 1959. The caves are renowned for their stalactites and stalagmites, as well as palaeolithic paintings. Axarquía has seen a steady increase in tourist numbers, and has become increasingly popular with British travellers.

Holidaying Brits made up the largest contingent of foreign visitors to the region between September 2023 and March 2024. One of the main beneficiaries of the upsurge in tourists has been Nerja, which received 341,134 visitors for the seven-month period.

However, although tourism provides locals with many jobs, councillors have been keen to try and diversify the resort’s economy and equip their residents with the necessary skills to find jobs outside the sector. The town opened its long-awaited Training and Employment Centre that local politicians hope will lead to a brighter future for the community.

The modern glass-fronted building is located on Avenida de la Constitucion and was built with funds totalling €3.3 million (£2.9m), provided by both the town hall and EU Regional Development Fund. Courses taught at the institute will lead to official employment and training certifications. 

Mayor José Alberto Armijo hailed the investment, calling the centre “a turning point for Nerja’s future”.

He added that after years of planning “we now have a space where young people and adults can prepare for a demanding job market. Right here, at home.”

The new centre can train up to 200 people at once, offering everything from digital skills to vocational training. It’s also open to local associations and community projects.