Canary Islands Employment Service: My personal experience with the SCE

Hello, I'm Amadeo Pérez! Today I want to talk about the Servicio Canario de Empleo (SCE), and I will do it from my experience, with a casual touch, but also with the firmness of someone who has dealt a lot with this institution throughout his life. If you are in the Canary Islands and have had to look for work, ask for training, or manage some help for self-employed, you know what I'm talking about.

Knowing the Servicio Canario de Empleo is key if you are in the Canary Islands and want to advance in your working life. This organization is the backbone of job placement in the islands, and if you know how to use it well, it can be your best ally to find employment, improve your skills and even launch yourself into the world of entrepreneurship.

What is the Canary Islands Employment Service?

Let's start with the basics. The Servicio Canario de Empleo (SCE) is an autonomous body that depends on the Government of the Canary Islands and is attached to the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Trade. Its mission is to promote employment, training, and labor insertion of Canary Island citizens, and it offers services to both unemployed people and companies looking for workers. It also manages a series of economic aid, something vital in times of crisis such as those we have experienced.

The SCE is not only in charge of helping people find work, but also offers training to improve job skills. And, mind you, there are also resources for entrepreneurs and freelancers, such as subsidies and specialized training.

My experience: between appointments, waiting and the odd achievement

Now, I'll tell you my case. I have passed through the SCE offices more times than I would like to admit. Yes, each time I've gone, I've learned something new, and I've also hit a few boulders along the way. The first time I set foot in their offices was after an unexpected layoff; I needed guidance to get back into the job market.

The first thing I did was register as a job seeker. It's a procedure that seems simple in theory, but between the appointment and the bureaucracy, it can turn into quite an adventure. Once you do it, congratulations! You have your DARDE (Documento de Alta y Renovación de la Demanda de Empleo), which you will have to renew periodically.

The good thing is that the SCE has an online platform that allows you to renew your claim without having to travel. This, believe me, is pure gold when the offices are full and you don't want to waste half a morning waiting for your turn.

Training and tele-training: the trick is to choose well!

One of the most useful things that the SCE offers are the training courses. I've done several, from maintenance of electrical installations to business management. The offer is quite varied, but I advise you to choose well. There are courses that may seem attractive but will not do you much good if they are not aligned with what the labor market demands.

In recent years, the SCE has improved a lot in this and now offers teletraining, a modality that allows you to do the courses online, without leaving home. For me, who has had to combine work with training, it has been a blessing. You can train at your own pace, and if you have a bit of self-discipline, I assure you that you will make the most of it.

Subsidies and grants for the self-employed: Is it worth it?

Let's move on now to the part that has interested me most in recent years: subsidies for the self-employed. After several failed attempts in the labor market, I decided to become an entrepreneur. This is where the Canary Employment Service came back into my life, this time with subsidies for self-employed.

There are several aids, but the best known is the one that covers a part of the Social Security fee during the first years of activity. There are also subsidies to finance the purchase of equipment or to hire personnel. In my case, I got a grant that helped me cover the installation costs of my small business. It was a financial respite when I needed it most.

The trick to getting these grants is to file the paperwork well. Bureaucracy can be a headache, but if you have all the paperwork in order, things work out fine. My advice: make sure you meet the deadlines and always have a copy of everything you submit.

Challenges and challenges of the Canary Islands Employment Service

Not everything is perfect, of course. Although the SCE has improved a lot in terms of digitalization and online services, there are still times when the bureaucracy is hopeless. Getting a prior appointment in times of high demand can be a real challenge. Offices are often overcrowded and sometimes there seems to be a lack of staff to deal with so much demand.

Another weakness is that many of the training courses are not always up to date with the latest trends in the labor market. This can be a problem if you sign up for a course thinking you'll improve your job opportunities, but then find that demand for that skill has plummeted.

But beware, all is not lost. If you know your way around and have patience, you can get a lot out of the SCE.

Practical tips for getting the most out of the SCE

Before I finish, I want to share with you some practical tips based on my experience. If you are in the Canary Islands and want to make the most of the SCE services, take note:

Register as soon as possible: The sooner you register, the faster you will be able to access the aids and benefits. In addition, seniority counts when it comes to receiving certain benefits.

Renew your claim online: Avoid the queues. Use the online platform to renew your employment application. It will save you time and headaches.

Choose the right courses: Don't sign up for the first course you find. Do some research on what skills are most in demand in the job market.

Apply for grants early: If you are self-employed, grants can be a lifesaver. But don't wait until the last minute to apply. The deadlines are strict.

Don't despair: Yes, sometimes it's frustrating, but if you persevere, the results come.

Final reflection

The Canary Employment Service is an essential tool for anyone living in the Canary Islands and looking to improve their employment situation, whether through employment, training or entrepreneurship. My personal experience has been one of ups and downs, but at the end of the day, I recognize that without the SCE, my employment path would probably have been much more complicated.

In short: if you know how to handle yourself, the Canary Islands Employment Service can become your best ally in the search for employment, training or aid for entrepreneurship.