FPEmpresa and Esprinet Group renew agreement to reward the best proposals for knowledge transfer in VET
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FPEmpresa and Esprinet Group renew agreement to reward the best proposals for knowledge transfer in VET

The Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa, which currently represents more than 500 VET centres in Spain, and the Esprinet Group have renewed for the second consecutive year their collaboration agreement to carry out necessary actions in the field of VET.

This agreement was made for the first time in February 2022 and this year it returns with the aim of rewarding the best proposals for knowledge transfer in VET. In addition, among its objectives is the desire to promote female talent in training cycles where they have little visibility.

The president of FPEmpresa, Luis García Domínguez, states that “for the Association, renewing this collaboration agreement means maintaining our commitment that means that vocational training centres are allied with companies in our productive sectors. Likewise, this initiative allows us to continue our commitment to talent in all areas of VET expressed by women”.

Since FPEmpresa was created in 2012, it has been working to promote and foster vocational training through the exchange of experiences and good practices. In this way, the Association aims to become one of the agents that strengthen the VET system in the country.

“With the renewal of this agreement we reaffirm our commitment to promote key skills and abilities to train the professionals of the future. In particular, by giving visibility to female talent in those professional families of VET where its presence is testimonial”, says Javier Bilbao-Goyoaga, president of V-Valley Advanced Solutions (Spain & Portugal).

Following the renewal of this collaboration agreement, FPEmpresa and the Esprinet Group are launching entries for the 2nd edition of the Knowledge Transfer Awards in the field of VET. This call for entries is aimed at any public, subsidised or private educational centre associated with FPEmpresa. The registration period will be open from 13 February until 24 February and can be registered through this link.

FPEmpresa

FPEmpresa is a non-profit association that brings together public, private and subsidised Vocational Training Centres from all over Spain. In the same line, it contributes to create a network of centres able to share experiences, projects that want to develop and promote the Vocational Training System of this country.

FPEmpresa aims to give prominence to Vocational Training in the education system and to strengthen relations between the centres and their environment. The commitment between Vocational Training Centres and companies makes it possible to improve the educational offer for vocational training students and the pathways to integration into the labour market.

In 2019, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training awarded the Plaque of Honour of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise to the Association for promoting VET through collaboration between centres, the exchange of experiences and good practices.

Esprinet

Esprinet is an enabler of the technological ecosystem that, with a strong vocation for environmental and social sustainability, promotes technological democracy. With a

comprehensive offering of consulting services, IT security, services and products for sale or rental through an extensive network of professional resellers, Esprinet is the leading Group in Southern Europe (Italy, Spain and Portugal), the fourth largest in Europe and among the top ten worldwide.

FPEmpresa attends the gala of the first STEAM Alliance Awards for female talent
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FPEmpresa attends the gala of the first STEAM Alliance Awards for female talent

The Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa attended the ceremony of the first STEAM Alliance Awards on 11th of february, coinciding with the commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Representing FPEmpresa was Tomás Alonso, vice-president of the Association.

The gala has been held in Castelló (Valencia), in collaboration with the Castelló City Council and was attended by the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Pilar Alegría, the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant and the biotechnologist and astronaut, Sara García Alonso.

The STEAM Alliance, of which FPEmpresa is a member, is an educational project by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to value and promote the vocations of girls and young women in disciplines related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Thus, one of the fundamental objectives of the project is to reward the projects of the educational centres that strive to make female talent visible in the aforementioned fields.

“The Association belongs to this alliance in order to reduce the gender gap in STEAM education. All actions should be aimed at this reduction, starting from primary education to make the youngest girls aware that they can be capable of doing everything they set their minds to”, said Tomás Alonso, vice-president of FPEmpresa.

“From FPEmpresa, we congratulate all the VET centres that have been awarded in the categories of Intermediate and Higher Grade. It has been a pleasure to attend this ceremony to share this great experience, where the biotechnologist and astronaut, Sara García, also attended to emphasise that what she likes most is helping people”, added Alonso.

Bonanova Vocational Training Institute, the first winner of the STEAM Alliance

The awards are divided into five categories: Pre-school and Primary Education; Secondary Education and Baccalaureate; Intermediate Vocational Training; Advanced Vocational Training; and entities and organisations. The first prizes are endowed with 5,000 euros each, the second prizes with 3,000 euros and the third prizes with 2,000 euros. All the awards were presented by the Minister of Education and Vocational Training and the Minister of Science and Innovation.

Thus, the Bonanova Institute, a centre associated with the Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa, won the first prize in the category of Advanced Vocational Training for the project ‘Promotion of female talent and vocation for STEAM from vocational training in health and biosciences’.

The main objective of the project is to make the scientific-technological and research professions more visible to primary, secondary and high school students, focusing on girls and young women who are studying these subjects in order to bring them closer to the STEAM field.

To this end, the Bonanova Institute devises various activities that can be carried out jointly to promote STEAM studies among girls and young women, from the perspective of a vocational training centre specialising in the field of health and biosciences, showing not only the academic itineraries but also the associated future professions.

PRALINE works on the influence of the SDGs in the French VET system
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PRALINE works on the influence of the SDGs in the French VET system

The Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa has participated in the sixth PLA (Peer Learning Activity) of the European project PRALINE (Promoting Adult Learning in Networks), held on 30 and 31 January in La Rochelle (France). The meeting was organised by the Association Union Nationale Des Maisons Familiales Rurales d’Education Et (MFR).

The conference focused on the understanding of VET in France, digitalisation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in VET and Adult Education. During the presentation of these topics, the different speakers presented their possible solutions and alternatives through good practices in the country.

One of the main topics of the conference was La Rochelle, the French coastal city considered as a zero carbon territory. Joffrey Perrussel (Low Carbon Strategy Officer) and Julien Cluchague (Smart Campus Project Manager – Univeristy of La Rochelle) took part as guests.

Both Perrussel and Cluchague explained to the European partners that sustainable development has been a priority for La Rochelle for more than 40 years, thanks to the commitment of the population to fight climate change. Thus, one of the main objectives of the territory is to reach carbon neutrality by 2040 and to respect the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

MFR promotes new digital skills

Other topics discussed were the figure of the monitor by Sandrine Guibert (Pedagogical delegate FRMFR N-A – ANFRA) and Mathias Ledouce (Monitor – MFR La Garette); and the activity of the MFR Association. The Maisons familiales rurales (MFR) are vocational training centres that alternate study and work experience and are run by “families”.

These centres allow young people in rural areas to access education and acquire a professional qualification. Today, MRFs exist in more than 30 countries, mainly in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

After discussing improvements and new digital competences for teachers, as in previous ALMPs, PRALINE partners meet in groups to present their views and stimulate a debate to find new ideas among them.

At the end of the conference, the European partners have organised the dates for the next ALMPs: in May in Helsinki (Finland), organised by AMKE; in October in Croatia by Hrvatsko Andragosko Drustvo; and the last ALMP of the project will take place in December in the Netherlands by MBO Raad.

PRALINE is an Erasmus+ funded project that aims to strengthen and boost international networks of adult education providers already in operation by learning about good practice.

FPEmpresa attends the EfVET Executive Management meetings in Madrid
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FPEmpresa attends the EfVET Executive Management meetings in Madrid

The Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa attended the meetings of the EfVET Executive Management held on 26th and 27th January at the Escuela Superior de Hostelería y Turismo in Madrid. Carlos de Olagüe, EfVET Coordinator for Spain and FPEmpresa Member for Madrid and International, also participated in the organisation of the meeting.

The agenda of the day covered discussions on various topics such as: policy, conference, membership action, finance and projects. However, one of the most prominent topics on the agenda was the preparation of the next European Congress on the island of Rhodes (Greece) from 26 until 28 October 2023. The Congress will include conferences, workshops, visits to VET centres and Market Place (networking meetings), although the theme of the event is not yet known.

The meeting on the 26th was followed by a visit to the facilities of the Escuela Superior de Hostelería y Turismo to learn about good VET practices in the centre.

The meeting on the 27th was followed by a visit to the facilities of the Escuela de la Vid, where José María Rodríguez, Director General of Secondary Education and Vocational Training of the Community of Madrid welcomed the participants, who came from 12 different countries.

Meetings to increase international relations

“The event has been a great opportunity to give visibility in Europe to the quality of vocational training in Spain. Both the Escuela Superior de Hostelería y Turismo and the Escuela del Vid have shown the methodologies and training techniques at the highest level. The Entrepreneurship Classroom of the School of Hospitality and Tourism, equipped with the latest technology, and the attention received by teachers and students have made possible the event with a great international impact,” said Carlos de Olagüe.

“Without a doubt, for FPEmpresa it has been an excellent opportunity to consolidate its international trajectory. In addition, this event was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Directorate General for Secondary Education and Vocational Training and the teams and students of the Escuela Superior de Hostelería y Turismo de Madrid and the Escuela de la Vid”, concluded the EfVET coordinator for Spain.

Finally, the meeting discussed the work of the Thematic Themes (EfVET thematic teams), established in 2018 with the main objective of becoming a ‘Think Tank’, opinion leader and reference point for VET in a specific field. Also, to promote innovation and business opportunities among project members.

Currently, EfVET thematic teams are focusing on the areas of Entrepreneurship, Sustainability through VET, Tourism, VET 4.0, Internationalisation and Learning Mobility and Inclusive Vocational Excellence.

More than 650 teachers analyse the future of VET at the 8th FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza Congress
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More than 650 teachers analyse the future of VET at the 8th FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza Congress

More than 650 teachers had analysed the future of VET and educational centres at the 8th VET Congress organised by the Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza, in collaboration with the Basque Government and the Orange Foundation.

Under the title “Building the VET centre of the future” and over two days, 26th and 27th of october, the Kursaal Conference Centre in Donostia-San Sebastián (Basque Country) hosted the debates on the challenges that schools will face in the medium term, what digital tools they will need and what role companies will play in relation to these same schools and students.

The President of FPEmpresa, Luis García Domínguez, gave a positive assessment of the results of the event and concluded that “working together to think and share what the vocational training centres of the future will be like by asking leading centres, companies, social agents and institutions has been the main objective of the 8th VET Congress. At FPEmpresa, we believe that VET centres need to share and learn in order to plan and design the future necessary for quality VET”.

The director of CaixaBank Dualiza, Paula San Luis, expressed her satisfaction with “the success of an event that has become a benchmark for VET professionals and because spaces like this serve to anticipate the challenges that we will have to face in the future and to work in advance on solutions”. San Luis added that “on this path, CaixaBank Dualiza will continue to support all the needs of both schools and teachers”.

A total of 30 speakers from different sectors, from academic to institutional, took part in the congress in order to highlight the value of the vocational training of the future and share experiences and good practices. Among the speakers were the Secretary General for Vocational Training, Clara Sanz; the Deputy Minister for Vocational Training of the Basque Government, Jorge Arévalo; the head of the Knowledge and Innovation Centre for Vocational Training at CaixaBank Dualiza, Mónica Moso; that of the Regional Secretary for Education and Vocational Training of the Valencia Region, Miguel Soler; and, finally, that of companies such as the Orange Foundation, by the Director of Sustainability of Orange and the Orange Foundation, Daniel Morales; Acciona, Volkswagen and IndesIA, among others.

The FPEmpresa Association also took the opportunity to celebrate its 10th anniversary, promoting vocational training centres with a future. Likewise, the FPEmpresa awards ceremony was held, as well as the awards of the 5th Call for Dualiza Grants.

Also, within the framework of this congress, several visits were made to VET centres in the Basque Country, such as TKNIKA, CIFP Usurbil LHII, CIFP Tolosaldea LHII, CIFP Easo Politeknikoa LHII, CIFP Don Bosco LHII and CIFP Bidasoa LHII.

The Congress has been broadcast live on the official YouTube channels of FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza and can be replayed in the following links:

Wednesday 26th October
Thursday 27th October

If you wish to consult the programme of the 8th VET Congress, click here.

EFA La Malvesía hosts the New Agronet project to boost the agri-food sector
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EFA La Malvesía hosts the New Agronet project to boost the agri-food sector

EFA La Malvesía, a centre associated to the Association of Vocational Training Centres FPEmpresa, has held an event to present the ‘New Agronet’ initiative to its educational community. It is an Erasmus + project, made up of teachers and students from France, Italy and Romania, to promote and consolidate the creation of new companies in the agri-food sector. Likewise, ‘New Agronet’ seeks to promote training in methodologies and new technologies among VET students; to increase the opportunities for students by helping them in their professional development; and to help create a more modern and professional environment in VET schools that encourages entrepreneurship. In this way, the project encourages the exchange of culture and knowledge and increases the motivation to work in the agricultural world.

Day

EFA La Malvesía was selected as the host entity for the international delegations to carry out this event. The ‘New Agronet’ programme was held at the end of September and proved to be a success for all participants. The day started with several participatory work sessions in the classroom. These sessions were in turn combined with visits to farms of interest. This helped students to refine and better define their agri-food business model proposals.

In addition, they visited the livestock farm ‘els Masets’, which became an example of the renovation of a family farm: from merely producing lamb meat, it has gone on to produce milk and quality dairy products, offering, among others, typical products of the area.

Finally, the attendees took advantage of the visit to the agro-ecological farm ‘Saifresc’ to learn about a production model that focuses on local, fresh and seasonal products.

 

FPEmpresa associated centres meet with Canadian institutions of CBIE
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FPEmpresa associated centres meet with Canadian institutions of CBIE

FPEmpresa attended a meeting with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) at the Embassy of Canada in Spain. The event, held on thursday 21th of september, consisted of creating a networking space dedicated to international collaboration with Canada. The event was attended by secondary schools and vocational training centres as well as public and private universities, both spanish and canadian. Among the attendees were the associated centres IES Clara del Rey, IES La Arboleda, IES Isaac Peral, CIFP José Luis Garci and IES Antonio Machado.

In addition, this is the second meeting this year between FPEmpresa and Canadian associations to promote partnerships in relation to international mobility. Carlos de Olagüe Smithson, International and Madrid coordinator of the Association, was in charge of presenting FPEmpresa to the representatives of the Canadian and Spanish educational centres.

International alliances

The international representative of FPEmpresa was the second to speak, explaining the function of the spanish education system; the different training options available to students; and how vocational training works in Spain. Finally, Olagüe explained the structure and projects of the Association.

“This meeting allows us to deepen and improve relations with vocational training institutes in Spain. It is a great opportunity for the schools in Barcelona, which were there at the beginning of the week, and the schools in Madrid to make contact with schools in Canada. In this way, links can be established on student and teacher mobility, scientific collaboration and skills development,” said Carlos de Olagüe.

The event was held with the support of FPEmpresa, the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE) and the Canadian Commercial Delegates Service in Spain. Likewise, here the Association has been able to generate this meeting together with CBIE in order to open the borders between both countries and generate new experiences for higher education students.

FPEmpresa, the new representative of EfVET Spain, meets with EfVET Committee to determine a budget and work plan for 2023
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FPEmpresa, the new representative of EfVET Spain, meets with EfVET Committee to determine a budget and work plan for 2023

FPEmpresa, member and new representative of EfVET Spain, has met with the EfVET Europe Committee on 10th of september in Brussels to propose a new work plan for the year 2023. FPEmpresa was represented by Carlos de Olagüe Smithson, International and Madrid coordinator of the Association.

The EfVET representatives that also has attend at the event were Professor Joaquín James Calleja (Malta); Stefano Tirati (Learningdigital.eu – Italy); Arja Flinkman (South Savo Education Ltd – Finland); Marta Almeida Santos (Ensinus Group – Portugal); Panagiotis G. Anastassopoulos (P- Consulting – Greece); Leif Haar (Denmark); Vibeke Holtum Norgaard (Technical Education Copenhagen – Copenhagen); Silvia Liuti (FORMA. Azione srl – Italy); Gaby Tinnemeier (Germany), Giorgos Giorgakis (Eurosucess Consulting – Cyprus); Paulius Cepas (Kaunas technical vocational education centre – Lithuania); Tibor Dori (Euro-Contact Business School – Hungary); Marloes de Vries (The Netherlands), Jussi Kajander (Luovi Vocational College – Finland), Luis Costa (ANESPO – Portugal) and Jon Harding (Bridgwater College – UK).

This meeting has been very important for all the members of EfVET Spain, including FPEmpresa. From now, Carlos Olagüe will be the new representative of the Spanish EfVET members, taking over from Nacho Camacho. “I will take over the position held until now by Nacho Camacho, from the company Incoma, as representative of EfVET Spain. He has carried out his work as a representative with great professionalism for many years and now it is my turn to take on this new challenge, which I am looking forward to”, says Carlos de Olagüe.

Points to discuss

The main point of the EfVET Council was to prepare the organisation of the next Annual Congress will take place at the end of october in Kuopio (Finland), under the slogan “The Future Skills Revolution for VET and CVET in Europe”.

Other important issues were also discussed, such as analysing the activities carried out during the year 2022 and proposing a new work plan and budget for 2023. “I called a meeting tha last 6th of september with the different members of EfVET Spain to pick up their opinions and take them to the assembly in Brussels. Once there, a new line of work for 2023 was created, including a new strategic plan 2022-2026 that will be presented at the Kuopio Congress. This will be the big moment when we all meet again to exchange views with each other”, concludes the international representative of FPEmpresa.

FPEmpresa’s Board of Directors starts to prepare the VIII VET Congress
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FPEmpresa’s Board of Directors starts to prepare the VIII VET Congress

FPEmpresa VET Schools Association has celebrated the first meeting of the new Board of Directors in Santander. The new members were selected in the General Assembly 2022 of the last month of June. They have been working in their Strategic Plan 2022/2025 and have started to prepare the next Congress. Apart, they have visited the associated center ‘CIFP La Granja de Heras’.

The VIII Congress of the Association will be celebrated in San Sebastián the 26th and 27th of October. An event that will join the associated centers of FPEmpresa and organized with CaixaBank Dualiza, main strategic ally of the Association. Also, this congress will focus on the VET centers of the future and will mark the tenth anniversary of FPEmpresa.

Visit to ‘CIFP La Granja de Heras’

The second day of the meeting has taken place in the center ‘CIFP La Granja de Heras’, whose director is Sergio Silva, FPEmpresa’s coordinator in Cantabria. The center offers education cycles of the Agrarian Professional Family and works with more than 50 companies of the sector. Furthermore, it belongs to Agrocantabria.

During the activity, the visitors have covered the CIFP’s facilities, that has 70 hectares with different uses. Likewise, the managers of the institution have talked of some of the programs, like ‘Friesian goat’s recovery’. In addition, the center is leader in floral art and participates with an association created by the student body to promote the employment in the territory.

“Gather the coordinators of other areas in Cantabria boosts the VET of the community and shows our educative reality”, explains Silva regarding to the meeting of the Board of Directors and the visit. “We feel supported celebrating this event in a small community as ours”, adds.

Apart of the CIFP La Granja, there are other five associated centers to FPEmpresa in Cantabria: IES Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, in Guarnizo; IES Lope de Vega, in Santa María de Cayón; IES Alisal, in Santander; IES Valle de Camargo, in Revilla de Camargo, and CIFP Nº1 of Santander.

FPEmpresa and Group Esprinet to deliver the I VET Knowledge’s Transfer Awards
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FPEmpresa and Group Esprinet to deliver the I VET Knowledge’s Transfer Awards

FPEmpresa VET Schools Association and Group Esprinet have delivered the VET Knowledge’s Transfer Awards in an event that has taken place in IES Francisco Tomás y Valiente, associated center to FPEmpresa. A meeting celebrated the Wednesday, 29th June, where the high schools IES Pedro de Tolosa, IES Alonso de Madrigal and IES Centro de Capacitación Agraria have picked up their prizes.

“I want to congratulate to all of you for the quality of the ideas presented, the knowledge to encourage the role of the women and for reflect the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)”, has explained Silvia Sánchez, Marketing and Communication of the Group Esprinet.

Tomás Alonso, vicepresident treasurer of FPEmpresa, has joined in the event and has shown gratitude to the technological for recognize VET in this great project.

The winners to promote the participation in the contest

The winning associated centers of the VET Knowledge’s Transfer Awards have appreciated the contest. Between them, José María Pérez, IES Alonso de Madrigal’s teacher, has presented that “to create the group, I have selected students from different VET groups”. This has been due to the need of women in studies as Information Technology or Communications, reason why Pérez wants that his participation in the contest encourage more women the next years.

By their hand, Verónica Crespo and Mar López, teachers of IES Pedro de Tolosa and IES Centro de Capacitación Agraria, have focused on the teamwork done, just like the confidence generated after the Awards.

Finally, the participants have visited IES Francisco Tomás y Valiente, where they have known some projects of the students and the facilities the center has like their Garage Lab.

FPEmpresa and Group Esprinet signed an agreement the last month of February to promote the VET female talent. A collaboration that has developed actions to have an impact on educative system as the session of Marketing and the VET Knowledge’s Transfer Awards, where more than a 50% of the participants had been women.