He will continue leading the Spanish Association of Machining and Metalworking, reinforcing the sector’s commitment to innovation, talent, and technological transformation

Fernando Gastaldo Lázaro, CEO of Factor, has been re-elected president of AFMEC (Spanish Association of Machining and Metalworking) during the assembly held as part of Advanced Manufacturing Day 2026.

The reelection marks the continuation of a roadmap launched in 2024, characterized by a roadmap focused on strengthening the metalworking sector through innovation, digitalization, industrial automation, attracting talent, business collaboration, international outreach, and industrial sustainability.

AFMEC brings together companies involved in machining, metal forming, metal fabrication, and other strategic areas related to metalworking, serving as a platform for representation, collaboration, and advancement within the advanced manufacturing industry.

During his remarks at the event commemorating the association’s tenth anniversary, Fernando noted that “AFMEC is not just an association, but a reflection of a sector with its own identity, values, and an enormous capacity for evolution”.

He also highlighted the metalworking industry’s capacity for transformation in the face of current challenges, stating that “we are a sector that brings precision, technology, and reliability to the entire industry, but also a sector that looks to the future”.

During his speech, Fernando also highlighted some of the sector’s key strategic challenges, such as attracting and developing talent, advancing digitalization and automation, diversifying into new markets, and the need to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding global environment.

In this context, he also highlighted the role of  AFMEC and AFM CLUSTER as an ecosystem for business collaboration, knowledge sharing, and driving industrial innovation, emphasizing the importance of continuing to project the image of a strong, modern sector with a promising future.

Following his reelection, Fernando expressed his gratitude for “the trust of the members and the support of the Board of Directors,” reaffirming his commitment to the sector’s growth and to the consolidation of an increasingly competitive, innovative, and collaborative industrial model.

This continuity at the helm of AFMEC further reinforces Factor’s commitment to industrial development, industry collaboration, technological evolution, and the future competitiveness of the metalworking sector.

A space for connecting with students and graduates through a practical approach to key topics such as interviews, CVs and professional positioning

Once again, Factor took part in the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Employment Forum, alongside FEMEVAL, an initiative aimed at strengthening connections between the academic and business worlds.

During the event, the Factor team -made up of Ana Mª Sánchez Escribano, Director of People at Factor, and Marina Coloma Gil, an intern at the company- had the opportunity to engage directly with students and recent graduates, sharing insights into how the company operates, the professional profiles currently in demand and the key aspects involved in entering today’s job market.

This year’s edition also included practical employability-focused activities such as mock interviews (Interview Lab), CV reviews and digital footprint analysis, allowing participants to work on key aspects of their professional positioning with the guidance of experienced professionals.

As Ana Mª Sánchez Escribano points out, “these kinds of practical dynamics allow students to face real-life situations and better understand how to approach their transition into the labour market”.

The Forum represents a particularly valuable opportunity to create a genuine first point of contact between universities and companies, encouraging mutual understanding and helping future professionals better shape their career paths.

Beyond technical training, initiatives like this help participants develop increasingly important skills, such as communication, professional presentation and the ability to navigate recruitment processes.

Participation in initiatives of this kind forms part of Factor’s commitment to strengthening the university–business connection and contributing to talent development.

At Factor, we would like to thank the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), FEMEVAL and all the organisations involved for promoting initiatives that bring the professional world closer to students and support their entry into the labour market.

A program that strengthens the development of key skills and connects young talent with the realities of the Valencian business environment

Following our participation in the Skills UP program at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), we attended the closing ceremony of its sixth edition, which marked the conclusion of an initiative aimed at connecting university talent with the business world and strengthening the development of key professional skills.

During the event, participants faced new challenges designed to put into practice skills such as communication, organization, teamwork, and leadership**,** skills they have developed throughout the program and which are becoming increasingly relevant in the professional environment.

Through various activities, students honed their adaptability, creativity, and decision-making abilities, applying these skills to real-world business scenarios.

This practical approach was one of the aspects most valued by participants, as it allowed them to move beyond the traditional academic setting and engage with dynamics typical of everyday professional life.

In this regard, Ana Mª Sánchez Escribano, People Director at Factor, notes that “initiatives like this allow students to better understand what the industry demands today, beyond technical knowledge, and to develop key competencies for their transition into the professional world.”

Participation in Skills UP is part of Factor’s commitment to developing young talent and fostering connections between universities and businesses. Initiatives like this allow students to gain firsthand insight into how an industrial company operates, understand current sector challenges, and develop key skills for their professional future.

The experience once again highlights that, beyond technical knowledge, the industry requires professionals with a global perspective, capable of understanding processes, working in teams, communicating effectively, and adapting to demanding and changing environments.

Factor remains committed to these types of initiatives, which help strengthen the link between universities and companies and prepare the professionals who will shape the industry in the coming years. The company would also like to thank the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the Integrated Employment Service (SIE) for organizing this program and providing the opportunity to participate, as well as FEMEVAL for facilitating Factor’s participation.

The session gave students insight into the professional reality of the industrial sector.

Factor recently participated in an employability workshop for students in the Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), organized by the university’s Integrated Employment Service. The session was led by Ana Mª Sánchez Escribano, Director of People, and focused on guiding students regarding their professional future in the fields of engineering and the industrial sector.

During the session, topics such as career opportunities in the industrial sector, the profiles most in demand by companies, the skills required to enter the job market, and potential career paths within an industrial company were discussed, both through internships and employment opportunities.

The goal of these initiatives is to bring the professional world closer to the academic environment and to help students understand how companies operate, how work teams are organized, and what skills are necessary to build a career in industry.

In this regard, Ana Mª Sánchez, Director of People, noted that “it is important for students to understand how companies operate from the inside, what types of candidates the industry needs today, and what skills are important beyond technical training. Attitude, willingness to learn, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to an industrial environment are key aspects of professional development”.

For Factor, collaboration with universities and training centers is an important part of its activity, as it allows the company to bring the reality of industry closer to students and raise awareness of career opportunities in the industrial sector.

“We believe that the connection between universities and companies is essential for preparing future professionals and for the development of the industrial sector, which is why we will continue to collaborate in these types of initiatives aimed at students and young engineers”, concluded Ana Mª Sánchez.

Initiatives like this strengthen collaboration between universities and companies and help bring the academic world closer to the reality of the industrial sector.