A report by Ceta Capital Humano reveals that logistics, oil, mining, agroindustry and hospitality concentrate the highest searches for personnel. Companies now demand digital skills even in operational roles.
The Spanish labour market is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditional experience is no longer enough: companies seek candidates who combine technical knowledge with digital competencies, even in the most operational profiles. This is reflected in the Labour Data Report for the first half of 2026 prepared by Ceta Capital Humano, which analyses hiring trends based on monitoring job postings and official statistics.
Logistics is consolidating as one of the major employment engines. The rise of e-commerce has skyrocketed the need for picking operators, forklift drivers and routing analysts. In many cases, companies must fill these vacancies in less than three days due to the high turnover in the sector. But even in these positions, the management of logistics management systems and applications has become an essential requirement.
The Oil & Gas sector maintains a constant demand, driven by the expansion of fields like Vaca Muerta. Companies need fracking operators, Company Men, engineers and specialised technicians. The main challenge is no longer salary —among the highest in the market— but the shortage of qualified professionals to fill the vacancies.
Mining follows a similar trend. The growth of lithium-related projects sustains a strong demand for electromechanical technicians, geologists and engineers, especially in the northwest of the country. To attract talent to remote areas away from major urban centres, companies have improved living conditions and additional benefits.
In agroindustry, the growing mechanisation has changed the sought profile. Field experience is no longer sufficient: workers capable of operating smart machinery, using agricultural management software and adapting to automated processes are now valued. The demand for agronomists and specialised personnel is also on the rise.
Hospitality and gastronomy complete the group of sectors that incorporate the most personnel. Young people are predominantly hired for operational and customer service tasks. However, companies face high turnover rates and have begun to compete not only with better salaries but also with benefits such as professional development, flexible hours and what is called “emotional salary”.
Beyond specific sectors, the report identifies a transversal change in hiring criteria. Companies increasingly prioritise candidates with digital knowledge, the ability to work alongside automated processes and a willingness to engage in continuous training. “The big change in the current labour scenario is not in the jobs that disappear, but in those that transform,” explains Soledad Curbelo, Recruitment and Selection Coordinator at Ceta Capital Humano.
For those seeking employment, the key is to acquire basic technological skills, even if opting for an operational profile. Courses in logistics software management, agricultural management tools or routing systems can make a difference in selection processes. Continuous training has become a differential factor in a market where the demand for qualified talent exceeds supply.
The report from Ceta Capital Humano anticipates that this trend will continue in the coming months. Sectors such as logistics and mining will continue to generate jobs, but with increasingly higher demands in digital competencies. Workers who manage to adapt to this new reality will be the ones who secure employment faster and under better conditions.
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