The new Vocational Training system will drive the modernisation of the productive structure in Spain

Vocational Training Innovation Centre, Zaragoza

This visit is part of the Strategic Vocational Training Agreement that the Government is developing in collaboration with the social partners, business and the Ministry of Work, Migration and Social Security, to activate and boost the modernisation of the new Vocational Training system.

Pedro Sánchez announced that the Government would allocate six million euros before the end of the year to an initial invitation to submit innovative projects for Vocational Training centres across the whole of Spain, in collaboration with business, public bodies and institutions. The aim of the initiative is for Vocational Training to play a key role in the modernisation of the productive sector, by adapting to the changes and demands of the new economy.

The Government wants to foster a network between the different agents involved, giving rise to clusters in which the Vocational Training centres will be located, and thus boosting the development and modernisation of Spanish business.

At the same time, it is working to incorporate new professional qualifications related to advanced technologies, smart systems, Economy 4.0 environments and 5G communication networks.

Other areas being addressed are biotechnology, sustainable development, electronic mobility, cybersecurity, the circular economy, 3D printing in everyday environments, environmental health, occupational risk prevention, health at work and health and social care.

Logistics as an economic driver

The logistics sector, one of the key drivers of the Spanish economy with the highest growth rate over recent years, is another of the areas included in this strategic plan. The Minister for Education and Vocational Training has begun a process of coordination with businesses in this field to update and create new professional qualifications and diplomas.

The centre visited today by Pedro Sánchez and his team, the Vocational Training Innovation Centre of Aragon, was recognised two years ago as a national centre of reference for commercial logistics and transport. It was opened in 2014 with investment of six million euros, and collaborates directly with the automotive cluster in Aragon.

More than 800,000 students in Vocational Training

This academic year 2018/19, a total of 824,281 students are enrolled in general non-university Vocational Training courses. This figure is 2.5% higher than in the previous academic year, according to the figures published in the report "Data and Figures for the Academic Year 2018/19" published by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. Vocational Training students account for 10% of all non-university students this year.

Among the students enrolled in Vocational Training, 49.5% or a total of 408,607 are studying advanced career and technical education courses; 41.5%, a total of 342,281 students, are studying medium level courses; and 9%, a total of 73,742, are studying basic vocational training.

Non official translation