Across many markets, youth unemployment remains a stubborn obstacle. Yet few see vocational and technical training as a clear path to steady careers. In some analyses, the percentage of people pursuing formal professional training remains surprisingly low, and a bias persists that frames vocational credentials as a secondary option. This mindset can create two persistent problems: a shortage of qualified graduates to fill skilled roles and a mismatch between worker qualifications and market needs. If the current trajectory continues, the pipeline of vocationally trained workers may not keep pace with demand, potentially leaving tens of thousands of job opportunities unfilled in the coming years. At the same time, workers who complete technical training sometimes feel underutilized or misperceived, which can undermine the value of these programs in the eyes of employers and society at large.
These observations come from the annual VET report produced by CaixaBank Dualiza in collaboration with the Orchestra-Basque Institute for Competitiveness, presented at an event in Barcelona with CaixaBank’s leadership in attendance. The report emphasizes that education is closely tied to employability, and that employment remains a central driver of social cohesion and a powerful tool for reducing inequality. The insight from Monica Mosso, head of research at CaixaBank Dualiza, highlights the ongoing challenge: a significant share of the workforce lacks vocational qualifications, ESO, or only a basic Baccalaureate. The report argues that improving access to and perceptions of vocational training is essential to address this gap and to reduce the stigma that sometimes accompanies these programs.
Despite rising awareness, more than a decade of data shows that many people enroll in vocational programs without completing them. Last year saw over a million FP qualifications in Spain, marking substantial growth since 2012, yet completion rates remain an area of concern. The study notes that a portion of enrollments ends in non-completion, which slows the potential impact of vocational education on the labor market. This dynamic is coupled with a demographic trend: as the population ages, the number of young people entering vocational training is projected to decline starting around 2030. Juan Gamboa, a researcher at Orchestra, notes that about a quarter of the more than eight million job opportunities forecast for 2030 are expected to be in VET technician roles.
According to the findings, the sectors most likely to absorb VET graduates include commerce, industry, and health. The health sector, in particular, is structured so that graduates can pursue a range of professions within the field they studied, expanding opportunities for career development. Yet several productive sectors report gaps—areas like advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure adaptation that rely on skilled technicians continue to signal demand that is not fully met by current training capacity. Gamboa adds that addressing these shortages will require broader collaboration between education providers and industry to align training with real-world needs.
new legislation
Proponents of the AP reform argue that the most tangible benefits will come from two channels. First, the reform is expected to expand system resources, increasing the number of FP slots available to students. This would directly boost the supply of trained technicians entering the workforce. Second, the policy aims to raise the employability of VT technicians and help shift public perceptions away from viewing vocational training as a lesser option. The study suggests that these changes will help graduates better meet the demands of the country’s productive sectors and allow workers to demonstrate their capabilities more clearly to potential employers.
As the plan moves through regulatory development, observers note that the earliest effects may not be felt until 2026, when those promoted under the new framework begin to enter the labor market. In the meantime, the focus remains on educational access and the acceleration of pathways from training to meaningful employment. It is also highlighted that older workers could benefit from retraining opportunities, enabling them to update skills and obtain accreditation for prior professional experience more quickly, broadening the pool of qualified professionals available to employers.
Considering these shifts, there is a strong case for creating a more specialized and competitive market for vocational training. The goal is to bring training closer to the needs of industry and improve the professional readiness of graduates, enabling regions to compete more effectively with neighboring areas where vocational training is well established. Companies are seeking workers who can contribute to digitalization initiatives and the energy transition, areas where VET can play a pivotal role in building a capable workforce.
If no action is taken to address the system’s weaknesses, key trends such as the digital revolution, a transition to a more sustainable economy, and the aging demographic could exacerbate social imbalances. The question remains whether the policy framework will adapt quickly enough to keep pace with these changes and ensure that vocational training remains a viable and respected route to stable, rewarding careers.