FPEmpresa attends the EfVET 2025 Conference on Well-Being and Digitalisation
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FPEmpresa attends the EfVET 2025 Conference on Well-Being and Digitalisation

The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa, attended the 34th edition of the EfVET Annual Conference, held from 22 to 25 October in the city of Fátima (Portugal). Representing FPEmpresa was Carlos de Olagüe, Vice President of Membership and Communication at EfVET and Regional and International Coordinator of the Association. The event, entitled “Well-Being in a Digitalised World – Crafting the Future of VET 2035,” focused on how Vocational Education and Training (VET) can adapt to the digital world while maintaining a supportive educational and professional environment for students, teachers and institutions.

The conference addressed two major challenges facing Vocational Education and Training: improving the well-being of students, teachers and centres, and rethinking the role of VET in light of technological advances, the growing emphasis on work-based learning and the difficulty that still exists in many countries for it to be viewed as a first-choice educational pathway.

Days of intense debate

Over the course of four days, the event brought together more than 450 participants, including policymakers, trainers, researchers and industry representatives. One of the key topics discussed was digitalisation, with issues such as artificial intelligence, automation and remote work, and how these are redefining both skills development and learning environments.

The theme of well-being was explored on three key levels, as outlined in the programme: that of students, of teachers and managers, and the role of employers in fostering a healthy working culture. “The future of VET depends on integrating technology in an intelligent and balanced way. It’s not just about preparing young people for a digital labour market, but also about caring for their emotional health and personal development,” said Carlos de Olagüe.

The event made it clear that digitalisation is not merely a technical challenge, but a cultural one — requiring a shift where emotional health, social connection, work-life balance and digital inclusion become essential pillars. The conference underlined that, looking ahead to 2035, well-being must be considered a fundamental component alongside technical skills and employability.

The programme also included study visits to Portuguese VET centres, matchmaking sessions for new international projects, high-level panels with EU policymakers and VET experts, and workshops focused on developing new training tools and innovative methodologies.

Consequently, the EfVET 2025 Conference in Fátima has set the roadmap for the coming years, establishing quality of life and personal balance as key criteria for the future of a digitalised Vocational Education and Training system.

Carlos de Olagüe, international coordinator of FPEmpresa, appointed vice president of EfVET
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Carlos de Olagüe, international coordinator of FPEmpresa, appointed vice president of EfVET

On September 19, 2025, the European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training EfVET elected in Antalya, Turkey, Carlos de Olagüe Smithson as Vice President Membership and Outreach, joining the organization’s executive committee after the EfVET Annual Conference in Fátima this October. De Olagüe is a member of the executive board of the FPEmpresa Association as international coordinator and has represented Spanish members for several years on EfVET’s committee of national representatives, of which FPEmpresa has been a member since 2018. For the Association, says De Olagüe, “this is a great opportunity to bring to the European level, in cooperation with the other Spanish EfVET members, the needs of Vocational Education and Training.”

This same meeting also served for another member of the FPEmpresa executive board, Javier Serrano Castilla, regional representative in Andalusia, to hand over the role of treasurer of EfVET to Jon Harding from the United Kingdom. After seven years as a member of this association and attending its meetings, events, and annual conferences, FPEmpresa on the one hand thanks Serrano for his efforts during his time at EfVET and, on the other, celebrates De Olagüe’s new appointment.

EfVET’s role in European Vocational Education and Training

Founded in 1991, EfVET was created with the aim of giving a voice to Vocational Education and Training when it did not have one. To achieve this, it has carried out countless projects with members from all over Europe and is still developing others today. Among them is ENNE+, in which FPEmpresa also participates, focused on eco-innovation and sustainability. Thanks to EfVET’s collaboration with NGOs and organizations in the VET sector, as well as its work to transform and advance European policies in education, this educational pathway has gained greater international recognition.

The association now brings together more than 1,500 centers, 600,000 students, and 50,000 professionals, promoting a work- and practice-based learning methodology to ensure smooth integration into the labor market, as well as digitalization through its guides and online courses. Working together, FPEmpresa and EfVET are committed to improving opportunities for students and promoting a Vocational Education and Training that is ready to face the challenges of the future.

FPEmpresa takes part in the EAfA High-Level Event 2025
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FPEmpresa takes part in the EAfA High-Level Event 2025

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) held its High-Level Event 2025 in Brussels on June 30 and July 1. The gathering was designed to highlight the relevance of apprenticeships, addressing topics such as clean technologies, green industries, and the promotion of gender equality in STEM fields. Its aim was to strengthen and secure the skills needed for a resilient Europe, prepared to face future challenges, while contributing to the European Commission’s new initiatives: the Union of Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal, two strategies focused respectively on teacher training and upskilling, and on the decarbonisation of European companies.

María José Fernández Campos, FPEmpresa’s delegate, attended both days of the event as the Association’s representative. She emphasized that apprenticeships are much more than training: “they are a strategic tool for Europe’s future,” she stated. Among the key points, Fernández Campos highlighted quality and inclusion as priorities, the exchange of best practices, cross-sector cooperation, and the crucial role of local engagement in implementing and adapting policies to specific contexts.

Social commitment to inspire educators

The High-Level Event 2025 was opened by Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Capabilities, who began with the following announcement: “By 2028, our goal is to attract 1 million girls and women to STEM education, and 50,000 to apprenticeships in this field.” Along the same lines, Anna Banczyk, Head of the Vocational Training Unit (CEDEFOP – DG EMPL), stressed at the closing session the need to “engage early with students and their families, presenting them with a new reality of jobs.”

During the event, participants had the opportunity to build new collaborations through networking and to gain first-hand insights into the concerns that must be addressed in order to continue supporting European development and innovation. After her participation, Fernández Campos underlined the role of this event as a key lever for building a greener, more digital, and more inclusive Europe. The EAfA gathering, she remarked, “not only inspired, but made it clear that we need to act with vision, collaboration, and commitment.”

Dualiza Call Launches Its 9th Edition and Increases Funding for Vocational Training Projects to Nearly Half a Million Euros
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Dualiza Call Launches Its 9th Edition and Increases Funding for Vocational Training Projects to Nearly Half a Million Euros

CaixaBank Dualiza and the Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa have launched the 9th Ayudas Dualiza Call for Proposals, which this year increases its funding to €460,000. These funds are aimed at supporting vocational training (VET) projects developed jointly by educational centers and collaborating entities.

The main objective of this initiative is to promote dual training by strengthening the connection between the educational system and the business sector, thereby improving students’ employability through practical and collaborative experiences.

The call will be open from September 30 to October 14, and the selected projects will be announced in December. Applications can be submitted through the website: https://www.caixabankdualiza.es.

New Features in the 9th Edition

This new edition introduces significant improvements:

  • A new project categorization, distinguishing between local initiatives (up to €10,000) and network projects between different autonomous communities (up to €25,000).
  • A simplified evaluation matrix, focused on innovation, effective collaboration, result transfer, and local impact.
  • Additional free training for project managers to help them communicate their project’s development, learnings, and outcomes.

Furthermore, the strategic objectives of the call have been redefined. They now include the promotion of educational innovation, sustainability, teacher upskilling, and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Commitment to Vocational Training

Since its inception, the Ayudas Dualiza have supported more than 250 projects across Spain, benefiting thousands of students in areas such as IT, mechatronics, chemistry, commerce, and winemaking. These projects have helped bring VET closer to strategic sectors, creating synergies between educational institutions and businesses that result in more specialized training aligned with the real needs of the labor market.

Paula San Luis, Director of CaixaBank Dualiza, emphasized that “this call is a key tool to bring educational centers closer to companies and provide teachers with resources that improve student training, especially in a context where VET is gaining more importance due to the demand for new workers and the need to update the skills of those already in the labor market.”

For his part, Luis García Domínguez, President of FPEmpresa, stressed that “collaboration between schools and companies is essential to define a quality VET system adapted to the challenges of the future.” He also pointed out that each year, the call “demonstrates vocational training’s engagement with society’s challenges, allowing us to progress and create new learning models.”

The call also strengthens its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting initiatives that place people, the planet, and prosperity at the core of each proposal. Special consideration will be given to the social, environmental, and economic impact of the projects, as well as their potential to transform communities and create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

With this initiative, CaixaBank Dualiza and FPEmpresa reaffirm their commitment to a more connected, transformative, and future-oriented VET system. The call has become a national benchmark for driving innovative projects that strengthen Spain’s vocational training ecosystem.

In addition to this call, CaixaBank Dualiza continues to carry out initiatives nationwide to raise awareness about the value of VET, including technical workshops, sectoral meetings, and career guidance programs. These efforts reinforce VET’s role as a driver of social cohesion and economic development.

The 9th Ayudas Dualiza Call presents an opportunity for educational centers and their strategic partners to promote projects with real impact—addressing today’s challenges and preparing students for the demands of the future.

FPEmpresa launches a free international course for participants of the 1st Eco-Digithon 2025
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FPEmpresa launches a free international course for participants of the 1st Eco-Digithon 2025

The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa has announced a new call for the VET centers that took part in the first Eco-Digithon in Extremadura. Within the framework of the European project ENNE+, registration is now open for a free international course focused on designing Erasmus+ KA2 proposals (Green Cooperation Partnerships). This initiative offers selected centers both theoretical and practical training, where participants will work collaboratively on the development of Erasmus+ KA2 projects, with special emphasis on the environmental challenges addressed during Eco-Digithon 2025. The goal is to prepare green cooperation proposals in collaboration with European educational institutions.

The training will take place in three phases:

  • Preparatory phase in September 2025
  • Online course (45 hours) from October 20th to 31st, open to several members per center
  • On-site course in Italy, November 10–15, attended by one representative per center. This final phase includes 25 hours of intensive training, and all travel expenses are covered by ENNE+.

Schedule and job-shadowing activity

The course is aimed at teaching staff or international coordinators interested in leading Erasmus+ projects at their centers. Participation is limited to 5 places, and the selection process will take place in September. The course will conclude with a ready-to-submit proposal for the National Agency.

In addition, FPEmpresa has announced a second upcoming activity: job-shadowing mobilities in European centers and companies, scheduled between January and June 2026. This initiative will be open to more centers and will allow the use of own mobility funds. Participation in both activities represents a unique opportunity to boost internationalization and sustainability in Vocational Education and Training through European cooperation networks.

FPEmpresa’s Board of Directors Meets in Zaragoza to Plan Activities for the Upcoming Academic Year
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FPEmpresa’s Board of Directors Meets in Zaragoza to Plan Activities for the Upcoming Academic Year

The members of the Board of Directors of the Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa met on July 14 and 15 in Zaragoza for a series of sessions aimed at evaluating the Association’s past activities and defining future strategies and actions. The CPIFP Movera and the Campus Digital Vocational Training Centre hosted these meetings, which brought together the Permanent Board of FPEmpresa, as well as regional representatives from each Autonomous Community, and the technical team.

Some of the topics discussed included the Association’s collaborations, meetings, and agreements with various entities, as well as the pace of growth in membership. The relevance and presence of FPEmpresa in international forums, and its participation in innovation projects and events in collaboration with companies, were also evaluated. New action plans and internationalization options were also considered. In addition, planning began for the upcoming 12th Vocational Training Congress, which will be held in Santander.

Presentation by Mónica Mosso and Evaluation of the Strategic Plan

Mónica Mosso, head of research at CaixaBank Dualiza, participated in one of the sessions to present her study on Integrated Vocational Training Centres (CIFP) in Spain, addressing aspects such as the driving factors behind their evolution, their characteristics, and key elements of their management. The FPEmpresa Board of Directors also reviewed the Association’s strategic lines and its overall strategic plan, assessing the fulfillment of annual objectives related to economic growth, events and initiatives organized among its members, communication goals, and more.

Ultimately, these meetings served to agree on various outreach strategies aimed at expanding the Association’s reach and consolidating its presence and influence within member centres. Luis García, president of FPEmpresa, shared with the Board that “as the Association grows, it becomes increasingly necessary to find new ways to reach educational centres.” “We have developed tools and activities with great potential that help improve the sector and promote good practices in Vocational Education and Training,” he emphasized.

FPEmpresa and Empieza Por Educar achieve over 30 school-to-VET center visits to promote Vocational Education and Training
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FPEmpresa and Empieza Por Educar achieve over 30 school-to-VET center visits to promote Vocational Education and Training

The Xcelence–Escuelas Que Inspiran project, carried out by the Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa and the Empieza Por Educar (ExE) Foundation, concludes this school year after more than 30 successful visits by secondary schools to Vocational Education and Training (VET) centers. A total of 939 students took part in these visits, which were designed to provide each participant a direct, practical, and career-guidance-oriented experience.

At the end of this school year’s edition of Xcelence–Escuelas Que Inspiran, a survey was conducted to evaluate the participating centers’ experiences. Results showed that 100% of participants considered the visits useful for secondary students. Other highlights from the survey included the valuable knowledge gained about VET educational pathways, the benefits for the host centers, the ease of participation, and the high level of organization. Finally, 92.9% stated they would repeat the activity and recommend it to another VET center.

Bringing VET closer to secondary education

This initiative by FPEmpresa and Empieza Por Educar seeks to improve academic and career guidance in schools by bringing Vocational Education and Training closer to secondary students. Since its launch in 2020, more than 1,600 young people from Madrid and Catalonia have visited FPEmpresa’s member centers, gaining first-hand insight into Intermediate and Advanced VET programs—an educational option many of them had never considered.

Through this collaboration, students broaden their horizons and discover new possibilities for their professional future, helping to reduce inequalities in access to educational opportunities. Initiatives like Xcelence–Escuelas Que Inspiran are key to offering more comprehensive guidance, enabling young people to make more informed and diverse decisions about their academic and career paths.

FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet present the awards for the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP
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FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet present the awards for the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP

The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet held the award ceremony for the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP on July 8 at V-Valley’s headquarters. The event was attended by the teams from all the award-winning institutions, coming from Cádiz, Cantabria, Alicante, and Madrid: CIFP Marítimo Zaporito in San Fernando; IES Miguel Herrero Pereda in Torrelavega; CIPFP Canastell in Sant Vicent del Raspeig; and IES Francisco Tomás y Valiente. The four winning centers collected their awards and shared the opportunity to exchange ideas and visit Grupo Esprinet’s facilities.

The ceremony was hosted by Elena Argudo, Director of FPEmpresa, who introduced representatives from Grupo Esprinet to speak. Begoña Huerta, Head of Talent at Grupo Esprinet, highlighted the importance of mutual learning and collaboration in initiatives of this kind. Meanwhile, Luisa Paolucci, V-Valley Board Member, emphasized the company’s responsibility to support projects that foster and showcase female talent. Both expressed their gratitude to FPEmpresa for once again promoting innovative projects through the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP. Also present was Tomás Alonso, Vice President of FPEmpresa, who underlined the profound transformation of VET, “especially with the support of companies like Esprinet.”

Another year of projects for equality

The winning projects of this year’s edition address key issues for Vocational Education and the situation of women in society. Some of the challenges tackled include the underrepresentation of women in the Maritime-Fishing sector, chemical submission, mobility for people with physical disabilities, and the need for female role models for girls.

With the goal of making female talent more visible in VET programs where women’s presence remains scarce, the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP ran from February to May 2025 and received more than 30 candidate proposals from FPEmpresa’s member centers. In total, institutions from 11 Autonomous Communities and 11 Vocational Families took part, and €12,000 in prizes were awarded.

FPEmpresa meets with ENNE+ members in Italy for SHU 2025
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FPEmpresa meets with ENNE+ members in Italy for SHU 2025

On July 3rd and 4th, the Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa joined the partners of the European project ENNE+ in Spello, Italy, due to the Social Hackathon Umbria 2025 (SHU 2025) event. Throughout these two days, ENNE+ members from Austria, Portugal, Spain, and Italy discussed matters related to the upcoming Eco-Digithon, which will take place in 2026. The participants shared their respective countries’ participation results and addressed organizational issues concerning the project’s agenda for the coming year, establishing key factors to consider.

A significant portion of the discussions focused on enhancing the experience of participants in the competition and implementing new tools within the ENNE+ Community of Practice (CoP), an educational resource platform that already boasts over 1,300 active users. As a result, various action strategies were defined to strengthen the competition, communication, and follow-up for each project during the social incubation process. Feedback from members and users was essential in identifying relevant parameters to shape and reinforce the project’s development lines.

Social Hackathon Umbria 2025

The ENNE+ meeting took place as the town of Spello hosted SHU 2025, organized by EGInA. As part of this event, activities related to art, technology, sustainability, and innovation were held. The goal of these sessions was to promote young people’s digital skills and foster the co-creation of innovative digital solutions that can generate social impact and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

The winning teams from each Eco-Digithon had the opportunity to present their projects to an international audience. Representing Spain, the team from IES Sierra la Calera attended with their project MuéveteX, a proposal aimed at improving mobility and connectivity in rural areas through a collaborative transportation app, supported by the Santa Marta de los Barros City Council. Additionally, the program enabled them to develop an independent project with the help of students from around the world.

FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet announce the winners of the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP
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FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet announce the winners of the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP

The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet have announced the winners of the 4th edition of the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento de la FP, a competition aimed at recognizing and promoting female talent within professional fields with lower female representation. This edition ran from February to May 2025 and received over 30 proposals from FPEmpresa-affiliated centres, whose videos have already accumulated more than 42,000 views and 13,000 likes on YouTube.

The winning teams received a first prize of €5,000, a second prize of €3,300, and two third prizes of €1,850 each, to be distributed among the school, the teacher, and the students. The winners of the fourth edition were:

Once again, FPEmpresa and Grupo Esprinet present these awards as part of their ongoing commitment to addressing the societal challenges tackled by Vocational Education. Thanks to the collective efforts of all participating centres to acknowledge and tackle the barriers faced by women, the goal of gender equality is becoming increasingly attainable.

Projects addressing female underrepresentation, chemical submission, and unemployment among women with disabilities

The jury assessed both technical and transversal aspects of the projects. These included: the proposed solution, its planning, required materials and resources, impact on the SDGs, reproducibility, critical thinking, innovation, teamwork, and the inclusion of women in STEAM disciplines.

CIFP Marítimo Zaporito, from the Maritime-Fishing professional field, won the first prize by addressing the underrepresentation of women in this sector. The centre proposed two solutions: to increase the current 16% female workforce in the sector, they developed a software application to act as a tool and networking hub for companies, educational centres, and professionals. Additionally, to prevent unsafe situations, they designed a bracelet with connectivity and geolocation features.

In second place was IES Miguel Herrero Pereda, which focused on chemical submission—a growing form of sexual assault. According to Spain’s National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences (INTCF), one in three sexual assaults involves the use of some type of psychotropic substance. In response, the school proposed a compact adhesive device that attaches to a mobile phone case and contains color-indicator strips to detect chemical submission substances in drinks.

The two third prizes were awarded to CIPFP Canastell and IES Francisco Tomás y Valiente. The former addressed the high unemployment rate among women with disabilities and the challenges they face in mobility. Their solution was to design a prototype of an electric microcar with a ramp and support systems for safe driving. The latter focused on increasing girls’ representation in tech careers by creating tech toys designed to spark their interest from an early age, offering more early stimuli and role models.