In La Rinconada, just outside Seville, a new vocational training centre is helping young people launch careers in one of Andalusia’s most dynamic industries: aircraft engineering. The Javier Imbroda Integrated Aerospace Vocational Training Centre is the largest educational infrastructure project in the region in recent years, part of a broader €99.4 million ESF+ initiative to strengthen Dual VET across Andalusia.

Designed as a benchmark facility in Spain, the centre brings together all vocational training related to aircraft engineering and the broader field of aeronautics. It offers twelve intermediate and higher-level training cycles that combine classroom learning with practical experience in the sector.

Its location is no coincidence. The centre sits near key industrial hubs such as San Pablo Airport, the Aerópolis Aerospace Technology Park, and the EADS-CASA and Ryanair maintenance facilities. Seville is also home to the Spanish Space Agency. By situating students close to where the industry operates, the centre provides a direct bridge between training and employment.

Regional president Juanma Moreno described the centre as a strategic commitment to technology and innovation: ‘I know well the capabilities of the centre and the double result it can give – in qualified employment for students and as an additional attraction for technology-based companies to look at Seville.’

Linking skills to the labour market

The Javier Imbroda centre is part of a broader push in Andalusia to expand and modernise vocational education. At the heart of this effort is the growth of dual vocational education and training (Dual VET) – a model that combines study with structured work placements. The aim is to give students real-world skills and help employers access trained workers in emerging and evolving sectors.

In total, more than 23 500 students across the region are expected to benefit. The expansion is considered of strategic importance, and is aligned with European goals of promoting inclusion, supporting young people and strengthening social cohesion.

The regional government sees dual VET as a key to tackling school dropout and helping young people into work. ‘Dual vocational training is the best youth employment plan and the best tool to end school dropout,’ said Carolina España, Andalusian Minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds. ‘It offers opportunities to young people and strengthens the capacity and competitiveness of the region by providing companies with trained human capital.’ 

Over the past six years, Andalusia has added 57 000 new VET places, created 880 new training cycles, and hired more than 3 000 teachers. The region now offers nearly 168 000 places in dual VET – its largest offer to date. 

A broader EU investment in skills and employment

The wider ESF+ programme for Andalusia allocates more than €2.1 billion between 2021 and 2027. It supports efforts across the region to boost employment, improve education and tackle inequality – helping to build a more competitive, cohesive and inclusive economy for the future.