Westfield Glòries and Splau have restarted the Step Into Retail program, with Westfield Parquesur (Madrid) joining this time, helping to create pathways to careers in retail, leisure, and hospitality.
Developed in partnership with INCO, the initiative builds on a pilot project that in 2025 supported nearly 100 people and now aims to reach 380 participants at four Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield centers in Barcelona and Madrid.
Free for young people aged 18 and older who are not currently employed full-time, Step Into Retail is backed by local partners (Barcelona Activa and the City Council of Cornellà) and offers training, career coaching, and direct access to job opportunities through targeted hiring events and the Career Hub.
Additionally, for Westfield La Maquinista and Westfield Glòries, the program includes practical workshops to prepare résumés, navigate the legal documents, and build confidence in the job search and in the employer event slated for October 2026.
Alexandra Baines, Director of INCO Academy, said: “The pilot edition of Step Into Retail showed us what is possible when confidence combines with a clear plan. We saw people who had previously had limited opportunities walk into interviews with much more confidence, ready to work. That’s why we’re restarting Step Into Retail and bringing it to even more people this year.”
In Spain, retailers continue to face high staff turnover and rising recruitment costs: 87% of vacancies in retail and logistics are currently hard to fill, compared with only 3% a decade ago.
Participation in Job Fairs in Catalonia
Westfield La Maquinista, Westfield Glòries and Splau will also participate in the 2026 Job Fair organized by the Ayuntamiento de Cornellà on October 15 and in the Barcelona Activa Employment Fair on October 21. The events will bring together recruiters, candidates trained in the Step Into Retail program and job seekers from across the region, offering direct access to job opportunities and on-site interviews. Companies based in the shopping centers will be present to showcase their vacancies and meet potential candidates, helping connect local talent with concrete professional opportunities.
From Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, they state: “Through Step Into Retail, we work with local partners, retailers and public administrations to help create employment opportunities for people in our community. By combining training initiatives and hiring days, we aim to connect local talent with concrete career opportunities and contribute to the economic vitality of our region.”
