- Spain establishes five new VET hubs with 35 companies in animation, hospitality, maritime, hairdressing and road transport sectors.
- The hubs create a permanent dialogue channel between businesses and training providers on skills needs, course design and dual VET.
- EUR 36.7 million allocated in 2026 for simulators and digital twins; over EUR 8.293 billion invested in VET modernisation since 2018.
- Ten sector-specific hubs with more than 65 companies now cover fields from green energy to road transport.
- 75 VET centres of excellence and over 40 national reference centres underpin the innovation and knowledge-transfer network.
Background
On 21 July 2026, Spain's Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports signed agreements with 35 companies and sector organisations to establish five new vocational education and training (VET) hubs. The initiative reinforces the government's commitment to a modern, high-quality VET system that responds more closely to learners' needs and developments in the economy.
Five new hubs cover animation, hospitality, maritime mobility, hairdressing and road transport
The hubs function as a permanent dialogue channel between businesses and training providers. Through ongoing consultation, the professional profiles demanded by the productive economy are identified and updated, and that demand is fed directly into VET course offerings. The hubs also drive innovation projects and strengthen collaboration with individual VET centres.
The five new hubs bring together 35 companies in the following sectors:
- Animation, special effects and video games
- Hospitality
- Sustainable maritime mobility
- Hairdressing
- Road transport
With these agreements, the government has forged new strategic alliances with leading companies in their respective fields. The five new hubs join five already established since 2023, involving more than 30 companies in the sectors of:
- Green energy
- Rail
- Aerospace
- Audiovisual
- Technology
In total, the ten hubs now cover more than 65 companies across a range of sectors.
Business involvement and dual VET
The hubs involve companies in skills accreditation and in students' hands-on training through dual VET, which is being rolled out across the national VET system.
Innovation and digital tools as a pillar
The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping production systems, creating new opportunities alongside challenges related to employment and inequality.
Spain's VET model is evolving into a more flexible system that is more closely connected to business and better able to adapt. The signing event also highlighted the role of simulators and digital twins in VET. These technologies can reproduce complex machinery and workplace situations that are difficult or risky to practise in training centres, while complementing the work of teaching staff.
Investment and reference centres
| Period | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | EUR 36.7 million | Introduction of simulators and digital twins in VET centres |
| 2018–2026 | over EUR 8.293 billion (cumulative) | Modernisation of VET for learners and workers |
These efforts are further strengthened by a state network of 75 VET centres of excellence and more than 40 national reference centres across different professional fields. Together, these centres promote applied innovation, knowledge transfer and closer cooperation with companies.
Strategic framework
The new hubs form part of the broader framework of Spain's Alliance for Vocational Training (Alianza por la FP), which brings together the business sector, public authorities and training institutions in a joint effort to raise the quality of VET.