On the 18th and 19th of September, 150 people from all over Spain took part in the "Erasmus+ Vocational Training Conferences, Short-term student and worker mobility projects (KA122-LH)" conferences, at the Palace of Festivals in Santander.

Vocational Education has gained an important place and has experienced an unprecedented growth in the Erasmus+ program in Spain, as it has been a pioneer in receiving applications for that sector in this Key Action. In this sense, the work done by the centers that provide Vocational Education is excellent, and among them we must mention the Professional Music Conservatories, the Municipalities, the Provincial Councils and the many organizations that implement mobility projects and do so. Spain is at the forefront in Europe, both because the number of proposals presented in this field is increasing, and because they are of high quality.

The Erasmus+ program of the European Union seeks exponential growth in mobility and cooperation actions in the Vocational Education sector. To achieve this, there has been a significant increase in the budget in general, starting from new management tools with some functionality in the development process, to new participatory activities (mobility of student groups) and new types of projects. They stand out among them:

z The budget for this action has increased by 34.23% in 2024.

z 5.9% increase in individual travel allowances to counter the impact of inflation.

z Increase funding in countries where it is required.

z Increasing support for inclusion for institutions.

Spanish service for the internationalization of education

z Expanding support for preparatory visits.
z An amount of 100 euros is added for each participant who attends group mobility.

In this context, in the current Erasmus+ 2024 call, more than 8.3 million euros have been allocated from EU budget funds to finance 202 short-term mobility projects for students and vocational training workers, which represents more than 8,300 activities for students and workers in this educational sector. 

Based on the decision on the allocation of grants for Erasmus+ mobility projects (KA1) in the Vocational Education sector of the 2024 call, the Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE), the National Agencies of the Spanish Erasmus+ program and the institutions attached to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, the Education, Vocational Education and University of Cantabria Government Together with the Department, it has organized the "Erasmus+ Vocational Education Mobility Conferences 2024", short courses aimed at coordinators of mobility projects, i.e. The Spanish Vocational Training Centers selected in the current call were held on September 18th and 19th in Santander's Palace of Festivals in a hybrid format (face-to-face and virtual). Around 150 people from all over Spain took part in these conferences.

After the presentation of the speech by María Gómez, Director of SEPIE's Vocational Education and Europass Unit, Alfonso Gentil, Director of SEPIE's National Agency, stated: "The projects that have now begun to be implemented will not only allow our VET students and staff to have enriching international experiences, but also to develop essential skills and will help create a more open and global educational community."

Cristina Montes, Director General of VET and Continuing Education of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Government Universities was also present at the opening.

From Cantabria he stated: "The Erasmus+ program is an added value in the training curriculum of our vocational students, as confirmed by our companies in Cantabria, as it offers the opportunity to carry out collaborative projects, as well as exchange training and good practices".

During these days, different presentations and panel discussions were held to help the Vocational Education organizations that develop these projects to manage them successfully. These sessions could also be followed live on SEPIE's YouTube channel.

About the SEPIE National Agency

The Spanish Service for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE) is the Spanish National Agency of the European Union's Erasmus+ program in the fields of education and training. Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship program for international academic mobility, open to almost all countries and people in the world (students, trainees and teachers from all educational sectors). SEPIE manages the decentralized actions of the Erasmus+ program: Key Action 1 (educational mobility of people) and Key Action 2 (cooperation between organizations and institutions).

Spanish Services for the Internationalization of Education (SEPIE) Agency N for the management, dissemination, promotion and impact studies of the Erasmus+ program in the field of Education and Training 

As mentioned, it acts as an agency, in addition to other European educational initiatives and programs. It also coordinates and participates in national and international projects, and its duties include contributing to the greater international projection of the Spanish university system and its offer.

SEPIE is responsible for widening the call for programs, providing support and technical advice to the potential beneficiaries of the actions and carrying out appropriate follow-up, so that the planned actions achieve results.

For extension and follow-up work, SEPIE has the cooperation of a wide network of institutions: Departments of Education of the Autonomous Communities, Universities, Regional Public Employment Services, Chambers of Commerce, business and union organizations and other institutions that develop training activities.

SEPIE, in the field of Education and Training of the European Union, develops and manages the Erasmus+ program, according to the provisions of Law 15/2014 of September 16, rationalizing the public sector and taking into account other administrative reform measures.