Young Moroccan Immigrant Pursues Diploma in Spain to Unlock Job Opportunities

At the age of 13, the young Moroccan had started doing odd jobs in electricity, gardening, mechanics, masonry and solar panel installation. Arrived in Spain, he was confronted with the harsh reality of the job market which is not accessible without a diploma, unlike his native Morocco where the diploma is not a requirement to access it. In Spain, "without training, you are nobody and without a diploma, you have no chance during a job interview, even if you have a lot of professional experience," he complains.

Despite himself, the young man decided to resume his studies and enrolled in the adult school in Salt in the province of Girona in Catalonia. He learned to read and write at the age of 18 and is delighted to have finished reading his first book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". He always keeps one in his backpack, he assures. The Moroccan says he has also registered to obtain his driver’s license in order to have more chances of entering the job market, acknowledging that the fact of having dropped out of school has caused him a lot of harm. "Without studies, life is harder," he confesses.

Thanks to the "Primeres oportunitats" program of the Red Cross of Girona, the young Moroccan will begin this month a vocational training course in masonry, while continuing his classes at the adult school in Salt. According to the program manager, Andrea Rodríguez, the course offers "good chances of professional integration for young people under 30". With this opportunity, the young man hopes to find a job and save to pay for his mechanic training, his dream job.