Green employment in Euskadi continues its expansion, now reaching over 7,300 jobs after a 5% increase in 2025. The most in-demand profile is that of an industrial facility maintenance and repair technician for environmental management, according to data from Aclima, Basque Environment Cluster.
The Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao hosted the second edition of Green Azoka, a green jobs fair organized by Aclima Talent, its employment division. The event brought together over 200 individuals interested in environmental careers and 19 companies and entities from the sector.
The fair was attended by Arantza Martínez Tobalina, Director of Employment for the Basque Government's Department of Economy, Labor, and Employment. She emphasized the importance of "continuing to strengthen the connection between institutions and companies, training, and employment to address the challenges of the ecological transition and generate new professional opportunities".
“"Green employment has become a key driver for economic growth, quality job creation, and building a more sustainable and equitable society, as outlined in the Basque Employment Strategy 2030. As we've seen at Green Azoka, it generates numerous job opportunities in emerging sectors like the circular economy and natural resource management, which we must leverage."
Aclima's director, Olga Martín, stated that "green employment is already having a direct impact on companies' needs and the most sought-after professional profiles." She added that "the ecological transition is accelerating the incorporation of new specialized talent and forcing many organizations to adapt technical skills, processes, and teams to meet new industrial and regulatory demands".
According to the diagnostic study Estudio de Análisis y Detección de Necesidades de Formación Sectorial (2025-2028), conducted by Aclima in 2025, 61% of environmental companies plan to hire new talent in the coming months to strengthen capabilities and address current challenges.
The creation of new vacancies is currently the main reason for hiring professionals, reflecting sector growth. Data from Aclima's Green Observatory shows the most in-demand profile is the industrial facility maintenance and repair technician for environmental management, accounting for 13.3% of green job offers.
This is followed by sustainability manager (9.4%), environmental protection technician (8.6%), health, safety, and environment manager (6.3%), and renewable energy engineer (3.9%). By territory, Bizkaia leads with 52.7% of offers, followed by Gipuzkoa (19.8%) and Araba (12.6%).
The most demanded green skills include sustainable industry and production (21.6%), pollution control and reduction (14.4%), sustainable construction and infrastructure (12%), energy efficiency and clean energy (10.2%), and environmental management, reporting, and legislation (9.6%).
The diagnosis also identifies gaps in sustainability, digitalization, environmental legislation, and waste management, particularly in technical and highly qualified profiles. The study, in collaboration with Lanbide, has revealed mismatches between training supply and sector needs.
To address this gap, Aclima Training will launch a specialized training program. Aclima Talent, a priority in Aclima's 2023-2026 strategic plan, already has 1,513 registered candidates, with 678 having been incorporated this year.
