The Congress will feature the participation of the Regional Minister for Education, VET and Universities of the Government of Cantabria, Sergio Silva, and the Secretary General for Vocational Education and Training at the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Esther Monterrubio.
It will take place at the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria on 7–8 May 2026, with the collaboration of the Government of Cantabria and the participation of Fundación Orange.
The event will reflect on the links between Vocational Education and Training (VET) and inclusion, other educational fields, employment, and the stakeholders who promote guidance, learning and students’ professional development.
More than 1,300 VET professionals attended the previous edition, held in Cartagena.
The Association of Vocational Education and Training Centres FPEmpresa and CaixaBank Dualiza Foundation, in collaboration with the Regional Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Universities of the Government of Cantabria and with the participation of Fundación Orange, are launching the 12th VET Congress, entitled “Building Bridges. VET, a Space of Opportunities.”
On 7 and 8 May 2026, the Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria will host teachers and representatives from numerous companies and institutions to reflect on the connections between VET and inclusion, other educational sectors, employment, and the stakeholders who foster guidance, learning and students’ professional development.
The 12th VET Congress follows the 2025 edition, which brought together more than 1,300 participants, consolidating the event as one of the leading national benchmarks in Vocational Education and Training.
Luis García, President of FPEmpresa, states:
“VET is, now more than ever, a space of connection, transition and collaboration, where multiple realities converge to generate opportunities and respond to the needs of a transforming environment. Exploring these bridges and sharing experiences that strengthen them is undoubtedly a key motivation for this new congress.”
For her part, the Director of CaixaBank Dualiza, Paula San Luis, highlighted “the excellent reception of a congress that VET teachers already consider their own; which has become the largest space for contact, collaboration and knowledge transfer among them, and which is the best example of the shared commitment of Dualiza and FPEmpresa to serve the educational community.”
Both Luis García and Paula San Luis will participate in the institutional opening, which will also include Sergio Silva, Regional Minister for Education, VET and Universities of the Government of Cantabria, and Esther Monterrubio, Secretary General for Vocational Education and Training at the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports.
The keynote speeches will focus primarily on the strategic position of VET in fostering connections with areas such as inclusion, technology and employability. In addition, thematic round tables organised by working groups will address topics such as initiatives to connect graduates with companies, labour market specialisation and entrepreneurship in VET.
The programme will also include the presentation of the 6th Edition of the FPEmpresa Awards, recognising the career and impact of one individual and one company in the field of Vocational Education and Training.
The 12th VET Congress will feature an exhibition area where interested companies may showcase their products or share materials and projects of interest to VET centres, demonstrating their commitment to the development and innovation of the sector.
Furthermore, on the afternoon of 7 May, visits will be organised to local VET centres and companies, including CIFP La Granja, CIFP Nº1 Santander, IES Cantabria, IES Fuente Fresnedo, CIFP Puerto de Laredo, IES Miguel Herrero Pereda, Nestlé and the Cantabria VET Fair.
Admission to the Congress is free of charge until full capacity is reached via the registration link.
For further information about the congress or additional details about the programme, please consult the following link.
Author: The Association of Vocational Training Centres, FPEmpresa, Communications Team (Institutional publication)