This initiative, which has involved 142 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 180 vocational training students and 19 educational centers, seeks to break down the barriers that companies face in integrating dual vocational training into their structures.
The pilot test was carried out in eight key territorial chambers of commerce: Alicante, Barcelona, Gijón, Huesca, Seville, Valencia, Valladolid and Zaragoza, counting on the collaboration of the Bertelsmann Foundation and the co-financing of European Social Fund.
Starting with the 2024/2025 academic year, regulations require that all vocational training courses be taught using a dual format, which implies an equitable distribution of training between the educational center and the company. Joseph Louis BonetThe president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce emphasized the importance of this program: "This is the first academic year in which SMEs and micro-enterprises must assume an active role in vocational training, and support for tutors is fundamental." Bonet added that facilitating this transition is "key to the success of the new dual model, especially in a business sector like Spain's, which is made up of 99,8% SMEs."
The pilot program has been developed in the Chambers of Commerce of Alicante, Barcelona, Gijón, Huesca, Seville, Valencia, Valladolid, and Zaragoza.
The "Support for SME/Micro-enterprise Mentors" program focuses on supporting companies in their new role as training providers. It facilitates the work of company mentors in crucial tasks such as contacting educational institutions, selecting students, and monitoring the training plan. The goal is to dispel common concerns such as staff shortages, lack of familiarity with the process, or bureaucracy, which often discourage small businesses from participating in this model.
The key to success lies in the free and personalized support offered to business tutors. Chamber of Commerce of Spain It provides qualified personnel to assist these tutors, offering technical assistance and support with administrative tasks. This role acts as a bridge between all the stakeholders involved, facilitating the integration of the dual model in companies with smaller structures and ensuring improved quality of student learning without overburdening SME staff.
One revealing statistic is that 76% of participating companies had no prior experience with dual vocational training. The program has been fundamental in supporting these SMEs in this transition, helping them understand their responsibilities and providing them with the necessary tools and resources through shared external mentors.
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