The Plenary Session of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has unanimously approved an institutional declaration in which the Government of the Canary Islands is urged to include the Degree in Nautical Studies and Maritime Transport among the educational offer of the Polytechnic Institute of Maritime-Fishing Professional Training of the Canary Islands.
This initiative, promoted by the University Foundation of Lanzarote (FUL) and supported by the Fisheries Area of the Cabildo and all the political forces of the island Corporation, seeks to expand training opportunities in a sector considered strategic.
The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted the importance of this step: "It is essential that we continue working from the Cabildo so that Lanzarote has a modern educational offer, adapted to the needs of the current labor market and increasingly broad. The incorporation of this degree will not only strengthen opportunities for our young people, but will also contribute to the development of a maritime sector." The president stressed the importance of promoting the Blue Economy and announced that, also as a regional deputy, he will promote this initiative before the Executive.
The vice president, Jacobo Medina, has valued this declaration "as a before and after in university education on our island. We come from fishing origins and that mentality is maintained with professional training and, we hope that soon, with the arrival of the Degree in Nautical Studies to our island. We are a reference in this type of training and the objective is to continue growing for the future students that arise in Lanzarote and La Graciosa".
Among the arguments presented in the declaration, it is highlighted that this initiative responds to the needs of the maritime sector, considered strategic for the island's economy. In addition, it is emphasized that the creation of this degree will expand training opportunities for young people, improving their qualification in an area with high employability and international projection, which favors the educational and socioeconomic development of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
A national reference
For her part, Ascensión Toledo, Minister of Education of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, has highlighted the prestige of the Polytechnic Institute of Maritime-Fishing Professional Training, popularly known as the Fishing School: "This center is a national reference in professional training and represents a guarantee of quality for those who wish to specialize in maritime and fishing areas. From the Cabildo, we reaffirm our commitment to continue strengthening this institution and ensure that our young people have access to excellent training".
Ascensión Toledo referred to the effort made by the Ministry of Education and Universities of the Government of the Canary Islands to collect the approved proposal, "and thus help strengthen the fabric of university education that we have on the island; and for this I thank the Minister Migdalia Machín for her sensitivity in this and other matters". Finally, the island councilor of Education also spoke of the other higher education proposals with which the Institution regularly collaborates.
The approved institutional declaration thanks the effort of all the institutions and agents involved in the initiative, underlining the technical and social support with which the project has.
The inclusion of the Degree in Nautical Studies and Maritime Transport in the offer of the Polytechnic Institute of Maritime-Fishing Professional Training would mean a qualitative improvement in the educational offer of the center.