The Asociación de Centros de Formación Profesional FPEmpresa, has reached a total of 700 member centres after 13 years of activity. Founded in 2012, FPEmpresa now forms a network of educational centres with representation in all Spanish Autonomous Communities, with the aim of promoting Vocational Education and Training (VET). Over the years, the Association’s activities and partnerships have increased, establishing close relationships with various companies and public entities, and becoming part of international organizations such as EfVET and WFCP. These alliances strengthen FPEmpresa’s commitment to advancing VET, fostering collaboration, and encouraging the exchange of experiences and best practices.
“It is a source of pride for all of us to have reached 700 member centres,” said Luis García, President of the Association. “For an organization like ours, whose goal is to position VET as a first-choice pathway, it’s very important that our voice is supported by an ever-growing number of centres,” he stated. He also emphasized that “with this number of affiliated centres, our relevance as drivers and spokespersons for VET becomes clear, along with the shared belief in the importance of working together to go further.”
With this growth, FPEmpresa has consolidated itself as a meeting point for VET centres, companies, and students, and was awarded the Placa de Honor de la Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio in 2019 by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
Activities and Initiatives to Promote VET
The growth in membership can largely be attributed to the wide variety of activities and initiatives in which the Association actively participates. Among these are calls for innovation projects and VET-oriented initiatives launched in collaboration with CaixaBank Dualiza. This year, the 7th edition of the Ayudas Dualiza has allocated over €400,000 to educational centres. Similarly, Dualiza Orienta has developed workshops, experiences, and activities that encourage creativity and promote the opportunities offered by vocational training.
In partnership with Grupo Esprinet, FPEmpresa also runs the Premios Transferencia de Conocimiento, which highlight female talent in VET programs where women are underrepresented. The Association also delivers training on sustainability in collaboration with Innogestiona, and fosters collaboration among centres through the ‘Escuelas que Inspiran’ project with Fundación Exe. Additionally, FPEmpresa is part of Alianza por la FP, an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to strengthen the network of shared responsibility and support the transformation of vocational education.
Currently, FPEmpresa is organizing the 11th VET Congress, held in Cartagena under the theme “Sharing Experiences: The Implementation of the New VET Law.” Since 2014, this event has gathered more and more professionals and educators from across the country to discuss the most relevant issues in the sector.