Samuel Bentolila, a Professor of Economics at the Center for Monetary and Fiscal Studies, helped author the study The impact of bilateral FP on job placement in Catalonia. Sponsored by the Social Observatory of the la Caixa Foundation, researchers from the Autonomous University of Madrid and the Institute of Political Economy and Governance contributed to the report. A key finding is that dual FP graduates earn significantly higher salaries than traditional FP graduates, with gains reaching up to 28 percent. This piece explores the current state of vocational education in Spain through the lens of that research.
“There will be no Germany’s FP in Spain; headquarters-company cooperation is not the same”
Vocational training has finally begun to regain social, family, and academic standing after years of being underrated.
This bias is common in Spain and other southern European states. It contrasts with the situation in Central Europe. In Germany, when a daughter gains admission to an AP program, families often celebrate with a toast.
The new Vocational Training Law makes a firm commitment to Dual Vocational Training
Was it always like this?
In many parts of Europe, VET studies have long enjoyed prestige in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Spain is moving toward that model, maintaining continuity rather than disruption. The shift has been embraced as a practical development aligned with real-world needs. It is clear that FP graduates often gain employment and earn wages, though the path differs between secondary and higher vocational education. In higher FP programs, graduates typically finish around age 22 or 23 and are no longer viewed as students.
In Spain, dual FP remains popular with only 3.7% of students
What contributed to the rise in academic and social standing of FP?
When economic crises hit, university graduates often turn to higher vocational education to secure work. In some sectors, FP graduates achieve better employment outcomes than their university counterparts. While college graduates generally earn more, the wage gap is narrowing as the FP route gains legitimacy and acceptance.
Dual FP will evolve into Intensive FP after 10 years of success in Spain
Demand exceeds supply. Can FP ride the wave of success?
In times of crisis and fewer job opportunities, there is a natural surge in demand for education. The 2008 real estate downturn showed that many youths turned to study; when the downturn deepened, they sought further training. The Covid period also boosted interest in FP, catching the government and regional authorities somewhat unprepared.
“Fluidity and flexibility between centers and companies will help make vocational education more efficient.”
Will Spain ever replicate Germany’s FP model?
It is unlikely to mirror it exactly. A persistent challenge is aligning the training offer with evolving job realities. Germany features very strong collaboration between training centers and employers, with rapid responses when new cycles are needed. In Spain, cooperation exists but is less intense, and Central European chambers of commerce tend to be more involved than those in Spain. Even within Catalonia, the system is broadly seen as a model in comparison with other regions. Overall, the belief is that greater flexibility and closer collaboration will lead to a more effective and efficient vocational education system.
These are the most requested FP titles
It is clear that companies want FP programs that align with practical needs.
The main challenge is profitability. Companies typically decide based on expected returns, so aligning FP offerings with real workplace demand remains essential to drive investment and enrollment.