Noèlia Serrano, CFGS student in Audiovisual production and shows at the EMAV, explains her experience of Dual FP at the ‘ICUB of the Ajuntament de Barcelona at the Barcelona Film Commission.
You can access through this link.
The Foundation launches a new website on the Ajuntament de Barcelona FP DUAL accelerator Unit, with informational and updated data on Dual VET, as well as enriching experiences of real witnesses, such as Noelia.
You can access here the DUAL VET section of the website:
The Sustainable Construction in terms of VET study, promoted by Barcelona Activa and prepared by the Observatory of the BCN Vocational Training Foundation, analyses the dynamics of the construction sector in the territory of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona to find a fit between the gap of talent in the productive fabric, the sustainable and digital transition and the role of vocational training (FP) as a qualifying vector. Construction is analyzed as a value chain that relates the activities of building and civil works, with activities such as installation, maintenance, wood, water, waste, or energy, given the close relationship with sustainable development.
The new paradigms about technology, digitization, materials, and construction processes are, as a whole, the main motivation for the elaboration of this study, not only because of their importance in the fight against climate change but also because of the opportunities they offer for the qualification and empowerment of human talent. In this sense, various job opportunities are detected that promote the sustainable and digital transition, through new housing projects, public works, building maintenance, and energy efficiency improvement.
The study highlights the need to promote certain changes in the sector to enhance talent attraction, and thus achieve a sustainable transition that will not only make construction more competitive but is necessary to adapt to the global climate challenges.
Strengthening skilled labor
New profiles are emerging with renewable energy specialties, circular economy, or 3D modeling and impressions, in addition to those classic trades, among which, delineators, palettes, and heads of work, which require recycling in the world of work of the present and future. It is thus noted that the sector still has a wide margin for development in terms of sustainability and digitalization, and the need to strengthen a skilled workforce where there is difficult profile coverage, as pointed out by the productive fabric and experts. It is therefore a priority to nurture the sector of professionals who promote this transition to the construction value chain.
Thus, the agents of the value chain transmit that VET as well as reskilling training can be a valid vehicle to cover these needs since they allow a green and digital transition to the qualification of construction professionals in those professions that demonstrate the most employability. The acquisition of competencies in ecodesign, bioconstruction, or Smart Buildings are some examples.
To carry out this study and conclusions in the field of employment in construction, 14 partners with different links to the world of construction have collaborated: guilds, clusters, professional associations, training centers, associations, and foundations to support the sector. 113 companies have participated, 14 VET teachers from the Building and Civil Works family and 15 experts from various links in the construction value chain.
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On May 21st, the 25th anniversary of the CAT VET System and the awards ceremony for best practices in the field of VET were celebrated. Xarxa FP won one of the awards for 25 years to promote the internationalization of vocational training. More information about Xarxa FP is here.
Below is a part of the article published by the Journal of VET where it talks about the FP Network: (see the entire article here.)
ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN CITIES NETWORK FP (BARCELONA)
The Association of European Cities, Xarxa FP is a European association created in 1999 that brings together cities from European countries to promote and promote the internationalization of students, teachers, and graduates in vocational training.
Since its creation, it has been the spearhead for the internationalization of vocational training centers in different European cities. In 1999 he began to develop internationalization projects for students and teachers of vocational training and continued to develop European projects at all levels of education, becoming in 2020 the only institution with the ability to carry out an international project only aimed at young people from training and insertion programs or basic vocational training. During all these years, the FP Network has been a key actor so that every year more vocational training centers can start participating in international projects, and that their students and teachers can carry out international stays in other EU countries. Since 2022, the FP Network has made it possible for international internships and professional stays beyond the EU to be carried out: in Montreal, Melbourne, or Monterrey.
Regarding innovative actions, it should be noted that the FP Network has been developing sectoral knowledge hubs since 2017 to promote strategic partnerships at the European level. Thus, he has developed the projects “Industrial VET HUB”, “Port VET HUB” and “Logistics VET HUB”.
Every year, the FP Network works with approximately 500 companies in different countries of the European Union (90 of them located in Barcelona and its metropolitan area), and encourages and promotes that students and teachers of professional training carry out internships and training stays in their headquarters. Thus, it promotes that companies know the reality of professional training in their environment and maximize their relationship with vocational training centers.
95% of young people who carry out international mobility through the VET Network join the labor market in less than 6 months after their stay or doing post-compulsory higher studies. Thus, it can be said that international stay is a key aspect of entry into the labor market.
PFI students have carried out their internships in Toulouse and Vejle.
On May 16, in Agbar, at the Barcelona School of Water, we successfully held the final awards gala of the EU Water Challenge VET Labs, an event organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ project. The event was inaugurated with an opening session that was attended by prominent members of the organization and the sector, such as Toni Bru, director of Human Resources in Agbar, and Jordi Castillo, head of European projects at the BCN FP Foundation, and general secretary of the FP Network.
The day continued with the presentation of the project, by Sol Bermejo, from the Foundation, and with exciting testimonies from the participants, who highlighted the positive impact of the experience on their learning and professional development.
We were able to count on the collaboration of Mr. Ole Helledie, a trainee in Mercantec. Mr. Ivan BARTRINA, professor of Water Management, at the Esteve Terradas I Illa Institute. Mrs. Sofie Thys, a Biotechnology student, at De Wijnpers, Mr. Ferre Van Herck, a Biotechnology student at De Wijnpers, and Mr. Stewart Tirado, a Mechatronics student at the Esteve Terradas I Illa Institute.
Next, the solutions proposed by the participating teams have been presented:
> The Tree Bunker by Imre DE CRAEMER and ,ge HELLERUP HYNKEMEJER
> The Second Life of Water, by Ferran SILLERO, Andreas A.M. OLESEN and Floor VANDENBERGHE
> The Tower by Magnus CHRISTIAN ALR, ANDRESEN, and Natalia JIMÉNEZ
After a break for coffee, the awards ceremony was held, which honors outstanding participants, professional schools, and the winning group, The Tower, represented by Magnus Christian Alrø Andresen and Natalia Jiménez, and international collaboration between business students and teachers. A great celebration of a pilot project executed with all success.
The closing ceremony of the event was led by Mrs. Montserrat Llonch, Head of Communication at the Barcelona Water School of Agbar, who highlighted the importance of education and collaboration in the search for innovative solutions to face challenges.
We are very happy to announce that we are finalists in the Alianza Award, organized by the Bertelsmann Foundation, in the institutional category to be part of the accelerating unit of the FP DUAL Ajuntament de BCN, a consolidated project with a high investment, where we lead the implementation of dual VET in public administration and participate in many forums and campaigns.
More information about the project is in the FP DUAL section of our website.
The foundation recently attended the 10th VET Congress: Conoce. Decide. Actúa. «El desafío de la Orientación para la FP» The Association of VET Business Centers and CaixaBank Dualiza organized the event in collaboration with the Andalusian Government and the participation from the Orange Foundation. The event took place on 25th and 26th April at the Fibes, the Sevilla Conference Centre and Exhibitions.
The congress provided a platform for experts, institutional representatives, and education and business professionals to reflect and discuss the issue of orientation in vocational training.
Link to the program: https://bikubo.com/tickets/fpempresa-congreso2024-A36-28.html
On April 25, the Accelerator workshop of the MetropolisFPLab6 was held at the Citilab of Cornellà.
The workshop was attended by the 45 teams that were selected by the 13 companies and institutions who launched the challenges and collaborated in the 6th edition of the program this year. The participating companies and institutions utilized this workshop to support and motivate their teams in the final stages of the program.
We are extremely grateful for the dedication and hard work of these companies and institutions, and particularly for the effort and commitment of the more than 350 teams who showed interest in participating in this open innovation program. From this large pool of applicants, 45 teams were chosen to participate in the Accelerator workshop, and from there, approximately 26-30 teams will be selected to present and defend their proposals before the jury.
We wish all the participating teams the best of luck in the final stages of the program!
The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) sector in the province of Barcelona is a significant source of innovation and growth. By combining traditional art with new technologies, CCIs are consistently evolving and producing new markets and opportunities for professionals from various fields.
With over 8,000 companies in the AMB and 115,000 jobs in the province of Barcelona, the CCIs are a crucial sector for the local economy. The growth in employment in this sector has been significant, with a 17.4% increase in the last 22 years, demonstrating its growing importance.
Vocational Training (VET) has a crucial role in developing qualified professionals for the CCIs. In the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona, more than 9,000 individuals are currently undergoing training in the VET system, which provides comprehensive preparation in both traditional aspects and the latest emerging technologies.
Despite facing several challenges, such as integrating emerging technologies and the need for generational change, Cultural and Creative Industries still play a vital role in preserving the culture and tradition of the region. To tackle these challenges and keep up with the developments in the sector, initiatives have been taken such as training new professionals in traditional areas. This includes artisans with knowledge of heritage, and digitizing professionals in the sector. New software is also being integrated to aid in the response to these challenges.
Les Tres Xemeneies, the Cultural District of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the Festival Dansa Metropolitana and the Taula de Barcelona Creativa are among the current metropolitan projects that significantly impact the CCI.
On April 22nd, the study was presented with the welcome addressed by Anna Martín, Deputy Mayor of Education, Culture and Community of El Prat City Council. Our president, Sara Berbel, highlighted the dynamics and impact of the cultural sector, emphasizing its constant evolution. With 4% of the business fabric and 8,000 companies in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), the cultural sector is a key economic engine that generates a significant number of jobs. Furthermore, driven by the latest technologies, this sector is diversifying towards new expressions of creativity in digital formats such as multimedia production, creating new markets and opportunities.
Gemma Badia, CEO of social and equality policy, emphasizes the importance of Vocational Training as essential preparation for the cultural sector’s future.
Angel Tarriño, Javier Gracia, and Victoria Sanjuan, who are the authors of the study and technicians of the VET Observatory, have provided some revealing data. The study shows that VET has a significant presence in the cultural field, and it is adapting to the trends in the sector, including digitalization, audiovisual, artificial intelligence, and 3D production. In Barcelona, it represents 7% of all companies, while in the AMB, it reaches 4%.
Javier Gracia analyzes the current trends and conditions of the industry, while Victoria Sanjuan identifies the most in-demand professional profiles in various fields. They suggest several actionable steps, including promoting vocational training that combines both theory and practice, supporting artisanal crafts by integrating digital skills, and incorporating technological advancements in teaching and professional practices.
Then, Neus Pons Pena, our manager-director moderated a round table where Mr. Juan Pedroche, Director of the Institute of Audiovisual Techniques and Spectacle of Barcelona, Mr. Ricardo González, Professor at the Institut La Mercè, Ms. Pia Bosch, Director of Administration and Human Resources at Teatre Lliure, and Mr. Eduard Gil, Director of the Audiovisual Cluster of Catalonia, will offer their perspectives and reflections on the challenges and opportunities presented in their respective fields.
We close the event with Ester Pujol, the Director of Social and Economic Development of the AMB, who offers us a comprehensive vision of the different challenges facing the sector: social, human, economic capital, the adoption of new technologies and the recognition of professionals.
The study:
In April, Intercultural Workshops for the PFI/FP Basic Project took place in Madrid, Alcoy, and Barcelona. These workshops are designed for participants who will be leaving next month to go to France, Germany, and Denmark.
Additionally, Danish teachers from the Vejle delegation, who are members of Xarxa, will be visiting the education consortium, Second Chance school, and Bonanova Institute. They will be learning about the educational system and some reference institutes.
