Distance Vocational Education has seen growing demand in recent years. Latest figures from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Education show enrollment in this modality rising by 16.4 percent among the Middle Class and 27.7 percent among the Upper Class in the previous year.
The online format in VET offers a long list of benefits. It provides maximum flexibility, allows students to balance education, work, and family life from any location and across various devices, and enables pace to be managed individually by each student.
Another strength of online learning is the freedom for learners to choose the grade that interests them, regardless of their home location. This saves time and money since the new student does not need to move residence or commute daily to attend classes.
That is how María, a 38 year old from Zaragoza, pursued her path. She studied Dietetics in a blended mode to combine study with her life in Sevilla.
María aimed to practice professionally in food care from her own business, a chiromassage and wellness cabinet. Achieving this required Dietetic Vocational Education, and the blended format allowed her to work while studying and gradually grow her project.
While continuing to work, María graduated in Dietetics within two years. She recalls that balancing work and study was made possible by choosing the blended method. Her teachers and instructors from Cesur consistently organized deadlines for homework and exams, ensuring smooth progress.
To meet rising demand, Cesur announced a substantial expansion of its distance education offerings. The program grew from 36 online cycles in the 2019/2020 academic year to 68 in 2021/2022.
New remote options were added across several fields, including Sociocultural and Community Services with specialties in Health, IT, Physical and Sports Activities, Dermocosmetics, Pediatric Dentistry, and the Design of Equality Plans in Companies. Other areas expanded include the Management and Organization of Sports Events and Cyber Security.
Online programs in VET now account for more than half of space demand, while maintaining high standards across all levels. The Observatory for Vocational Education notes Cesur’s strength in making education accessible to fit current life rhythms. Cesur also offers three online modes: Basic, Standard, and Premium, tailored to different student needs.
Málaga student Miguel Ángel Martín, pursuing an Oral Hygiene degree, chose Cesur for its flexibility and location independence. He could travel to the center for practicals or exams as needed, but otherwise studied remotely to fit his schedule.
Across all degrees, health-related programs show particularly strong growth in online offerings. Students who work online are now 34 percent more likely to choose this path than face-to-face study.
The Computer and Communication family is another thriving area in online education, with almost half of Cesur students opting for this path. This shift has brought new expertise in Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Cyber Security to the online catalog.
job opportunities
Professional prospects for VET graduates look promising. A 2021 ADECCO report shows 41.3 percent of job offers in the previous year were aimed at these graduates, with 33.7 percent of opportunities for university students also reflecting demand for skilled workers. This makes Education Specialists a viable alternative for young people seeking early career entry.
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Education CEDEFOP notes an ongoing demand through 2030, with 65 percent of mid-level qualified professionals and 35 percent of higher-qualified professionals in demand. Higher Vocational Education is increasingly viewed as a pathway into university for many students. In the prior year, 13.2 percent of new campus entrants came from vocational training.
New data from the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Education show that 1,013,912 students enrolled in Vocational Education in the 2021-2022 academic year. Compared with 2020-2021, which had 974,445 enrollments, VT enrollment rose by 4.1 percent in the last year. A major reason students choose this path is that it provides direct access to university once the curriculum is completed.
In a recent ranking of top FP schools in Spain, Cesur is highlighted as a leading VET center. With two decades of experience and the largest VT presence in the country, Cesur offers a broad range of training with formal qualifications, both remotely and on-site, including dual modalities. More than 350,000 students have completed their courses, and four out of five found employment within the first year after finishing studies.