Welcome and Institutional Support
In his opening remarks, Fr. Óscar Bartolomé, National Coordinator of Salesian Schools, thanked the institutions, companies, and centers that contributed to organizing the Congress. Santiago Cid, a journalist and head of the economic section of Antena 3, moderated the event and acknowledged the sponsors: MTorres, Esemtia, Fundación Iberdrola, UNIR, Absotec, Fundación Repsol, and TicNova.
Vocational Training in the Salesian DNA
Fr. Fernando García, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Spain–St. James the Greater (SSM), based in Madrid, highlighted that vocational training has always been central to the Salesian mission. “As early as 1852, Don Bosco mediated the first apprenticeship contract between a young apprentice and an entrepreneur,” he recalled. He emphasized placing young people at the center and praised educators who build alliances to prepare youth for meaningful integration into society.
Ángeles Martínez, Deputy Director General for the Organization of Vocational Training, reaffirmed the strategic role of educators in implementing the new law. She stressed the importance of partnerships with companies to stay aligned with evolving productive sectors and noted that the reform seeks to enhance the social esteem of vocational training among families.
Key Themes and Expert Contributions
The first day featured round table discussions and conferences addressing the human dimension of students, legislative developments, the strategic role of vocational training in economic growth, the impact of Artificial Intelligence, and the European dimension of education.
Javier Urra, former Ombudsman for Children, reflected on the situation of young people in today’s society. Agustín Sigüenza, Director General of Vocational Training of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, outlined the historical evolution of vocational training in Spain and its future challenges. Antonio Mondaca presented a barometer analyzing public perception of vocational training in the country.
Engagement with the Business Sector
Participants also explored proposals from exhibiting companies, including MacMillan Education, Europastry, Oxford University Press, McGrawHill, Fundación Saltoki, and Human AI. These sessions enabled congress attendees to discover resources designed to support and strengthen the work of Vocational Training Centers.
Social Change and Future Challenges
The second and final day focused on social transformations and their impact on Vocational Training, strategies used by companies to attract and retain talent, and the presentation of best practices from various institutions and centers.
The Congress concluded with an address by Isidoro Gil, Director of the Salesian Vocational Training Center of Aranjuez, who outlined the current challenges facing Vocational Training Centers. The final evaluation was delivered by Jorge Elías de la Peña, Director General for State-Funded Education, Scholarships, and Study Grants of the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
Source: Salesianos.info
