Marbella opens four free employment courses in gardening, forklifts and home automation

Looking for work in Marbella over the coming months could begin with a return to the classroom. The municipality has launched a new round of free employment training courses covering four practical areas linked to sectors such as landscaping, logistics and technical installations.

Applications open on Tuesday 1 September and will remain available until 20 September 2026.

The new programme includes training in gardening machinery, pruning techniques, forklift driving and KNX home automation systems. All courses will be delivered in person and are funded by Marbella Town Hall.

Classes will take place between October and November as part of the municipality’s Employment Training Plan.

Who can apply for these free courses in Marbella?

The programme is open to people of working age, meaning applicants must be at least 16 years old.

Although the courses are designed to improve employability and help people enter or return to the labour market, certain applicants will be given priority.

Preference will be given to people registered as residents of Marbella who are also signed up as jobseekers with the Andalusian Employment Service (SAE) offices in Marbella or San Pedro Alcántara.

Applications will be considered according to the order in which they are received, together with any specific requirements established for each course.

For that reason, anyone interested in taking part does not need to wait until the final day of the application period.

Gardening machinery and maintenance: 50 hours

The longest course in this round will be ‘Gardening Machinery and Maintenance’, with a total duration of 50 hours.

The programme is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge of the machines and tools commonly used in the maintenance of gardens and green spaces.

Students will learn to identify the main systems and components of different types of gardening machinery, operate equipment safely and carry out the basic adjustments required for correct use.

A significant part of the course will also focus on preventive maintenance.

This includes planning inspections, identifying certain repair needs and learning how to properly maintain machinery frequently used by gardening companies, maintenance contractors, residential developments, golf courses and municipal services.

In a city such as Marbella, where hotels, residential communities, golf courses, landscaped areas and public green spaces form an important part of the local environment, these skills are directly connected with sectors that require workers throughout much of the year.

Pruning techniques: 30 hours of practical training

The second option focuses on pruning techniques and will have a duration of 30 hours.

Participants will learn the basic principles needed to determine how pruning should be carried out depending on the type of plant and the characteristics of the soil.

Different species require different methods, timing and levels of intervention, making the ability to identify the needs of each plant an important part of the course.

There will also be a strong focus on occupational risk prevention, particularly important when working with cutting tools or vegetation of different sizes.

The training could complement previous experience in gardening and green-space maintenance or provide an introduction for anyone interested in entering the sector.

Free forklift driving course

Another option in the new programme is ‘Forklift Driving’, with 20 hours of training.

The objective is to provide participants with the skills required to operate these vehicles correctly, with particular attention paid to load handling and safe manoeuvring.

Forklifts are commonly used in warehouses, logistics centres, goods reception areas, large retail operations and other businesses where materials need to be moved regularly.

For that reason, knowledge of forklift operation can be useful for anyone seeking work in warehousing, logistics, distribution or goods handling.

The course will cover driving procedures and the safety conditions required to carry out these tasks while reducing workplace risks.

Home automation: 40 hours to learn the KNX protocol

The most technically specialised option is ‘KNX Protocol for Home Automation’, with a duration of 40 hours.

KNX is one of the systems used to integrate different functions within automated buildings.

It can be used to manage elements such as lighting, blinds, climate control and other devices through a connected installation.

The course will focus on applying this protocol to building automation projects, an area increasingly linked to smart homes, energy efficiency and technical property management.

This type of training may be particularly relevant in Marbella due to the importance of residential construction, renovations and high-end properties, where automation systems are becoming increasingly common.

It may be especially useful for people looking to expand their knowledge in electricity, electronics, installations or technical maintenance.

Applicants can choose up to two courses

Participants do not necessarily have to limit themselves to a single option.

Each applicant can select up to two courses, provided their timetables are compatible, although they must indicate which one is their first choice.

The second choice will only be considered when there are not enough applicants who selected that particular course as their preferred option.

This system gives participants an additional opportunity to secure a place while keeping the first-choice preference as the main selection criterion.

How to apply before 20 September

The application process is managed by the Employment Department of Marbella Town Hall.

The registration period runs from 1 to 20 September 2026.

Full information about each course and the application procedure is available through the municipal website.

Applicants are advised to check the required documentation and the conditions for each training programme before submitting their request, particularly where proof of unemployment registration or local residency may be needed.

Once the deadline has passed, participants will be selected according to the criteria established in the call.

Practical training for sectors with a strong presence in Marbella

The four courses also reflect several areas of the local labour market where practical skills can be valuable.

Gardening and pruning are closely linked to the maintenance of residential complexes, communities, hotels, golf courses and public spaces; forklift driving is relevant to logistics and warehousing; while home automation is increasingly connected to technical installations in modern homes and buildings.

The courses form part of Marbella’s second in-person Employment Training Plan call of 2026.

The wider programme aims to reach 291 participants between 2025 and 2027, combining different initiatives intended to provide practical skills that can improve access to employment.

For anyone looking for work or hoping to add a new professional skill to their CV, September is the month to apply and October is expected to mark the return to training.

Full conditions, details of the four courses and the application process open until 20 September can be found in the official announcement published by Marbella Town Hall.