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Study Finds Spain's Vocational Schools Drive Local Innovation but Lack Systemic Support

The CaixaBank Dualiza–Cotec report urges that vocational training centres be formally built into Spain's research and innovation governance to secure time, funding and professional roles.

Alumnos del CIFP Manuel Antonio, de un ciclo de FP superior dual.
Un profesor imparte una clase de Ciberseguridad en el Institut Tecnològic de Barcelona (ITB)
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Overview

  • The report, presented on Thursday, July 2, 2026, is based on a survey of 258 centres plus case studies and interviews and shows nine out of ten centres ran innovation projects in the past three years.
  • Most projects were funded through regional calls, Erasmus+ and state programmes while a minority used Dualiza/FPEmpresa funding, leaving financing unstable for many centres.
  • A key bottleneck is teacher time because three in ten centres say teachers rarely have released hours for innovation work, which forces much activity to rely on voluntary effort.
  • The study highlights stronger, system-level models in the Basque Country and Galicia and recommends formal steps such as tailored funding lines, professional innovation managers and monitoring mechanisms.
  • If acted on, the recommendations could expand applied R&D for small and medium firms, improve student-to-company knowledge transfer and reduce dependence on ad hoc projects driven by individual teachers.