Bilbao (EFE).- 100% of Vocational Training (FP) students will learn in a dual system -in the center and in a company- in the 2025-26 academic year, as stated in the VI Basque FP Plan, which will cover from the current academic year to 2027.
The Minister of Education, Jokin Bildarratz, and the Vice Minister of Vocational Training, Jorge Arévalo, have presented the objectives and challenges of this plan, described as “very ambitious”, and which will require a global investment of 538 million euros.
As they have said, to ensure that all students, both in the public and subsidized networks, take dual training, the participation of more than 25,000 companies will be required.
The current situation is that 11,445 students -out of a total of 47,000- have enrolled in dual vocational training this year, which represents 30% and places the Basque Country above the European average (22%).
The number of participating companies is currently 7,542 and has doubled compared to the previous year.
The Basque Government’s plans provide that in the 2023-24 academic year, 50% of the students enroll in dual FP and that it will increase to 70% in the 2024-25 academic year, until reaching 100% the following year.
Progressive implementation.
Other “challenges” of the plan, which will be implemented progressively, are to exceed 55,000 students for the 2027-28 academic year and reach 60% of the students enrolled in models B and D for 2024-25 (currently it is 52%). .
It also intends to develop more than 2,000 innovation projects applied to products and production processes, promote digitization and sustainability, and transform the 180 VET centers into intelligent organizations for the 2025-26 academic year.
Regarding the centers, for this year adaptation works are expected to begin in 38 centers, which will mean the creation of 70 interactive spaces; 45 immersive spaces and 15 laboratories.
Another of the objectives, already underway, is the adaptation of the offer of qualifications and studies to the “emerging areas” that are detected in the labor market and “to respond” to current jobs, but also to those that are will create in the future.
Arévalo has highlighted that in the coming years 60% of the jobs will correspond to VT profiles, and has specified that more and more sectors are being detected that need workers and cannot find them.
“We try to enable the studies that open the doors to these jobs,” he said.
Immigrants in FP
Bildarratz has also exposed that until now, immigrants who finished their FP studies could not access the labor market because they were in an irregular situation.
Recently, “a qualitative leap” has been made, as he said, and immigrants are now provided with residence permits.
before they complete their studies and have a job offer, which will cover the needs of certain positions.
The average employability of the FP currently stands at 85.6%, but in certain training cycles it reaches 90% or borders on 100%, as indicated.
Of the total number of students, 35% are women, 77% of whom enroll in the field of health.
Only 12% enroll in the industrial sector and 24% in studies related to technology and science.
These two sectors are the ones that offer the most professional opportunities and it is hoped that by the end of the plan, the presence of women will reach 20%. EFE
