The Cabildo unanimously claims from the Government a second Integrated Vocational Training Center in Lanzarote

The Plenary of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa has unanimously approved an institutional declaration of maximum strategic relevance. Through this agreement of all political forces, the Government of the Canary Islands is formally urged to plan and execute a new Integrated Vocational Training Center on the island.

The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted the significance of this unanimous agreement, stating that "this institutional declaration demonstrates the broad vision of the entire corporation in requesting a territorial justice infrastructure from the regional Executive." "We are prepared to demand that the future center become a budgetary reality as soon as possible. Lanzarote currently has only one Integrated Center, the CIFP Zonzamas. Despite its historical work, its territorial concentration in Arrecife and current physical limitations prevent the implementation of new courses or the duplication of those with high demand." 

Unanimity of all political groups

In this regard, the counselor and author of the proposal, Óscar Noda, emphasized that "the declaration defends the value of trades and manual technical jobs based on practice. These profiles are considered fundamental for the functioning of society and the maintenance of island infrastructures." "The territorial analysis confirms that the municipality of Yaiza meets the ideal conditions to house this infrastructure. The island agreement is preceded by a motion also approved by absolute unanimity in the Yaiza Plenary last June," he pointed out.

For her part, the Minister of Education of the Cabildo, Ascen Toledo, focused on the direct impact this new center will have on local employability, stating that "current Vocational Training requires a direct link between classrooms and the productive sector. With the mandatory implementation of Dual Vocational Training, it is unsustainable for our young people to have to travel daily to the capital or for tourism, logistics, and service companies in the area not to have a nearby reference center." Toledo added that "this new CIFP will be a driver of dynamism that will offer flexible structures, professional certificates, and requalification programs essential to guarantee generational renewal on our island."

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the People's Party, Ángel Vázquez, highlighted this institutional declaration "as a step forward to improve the quality and educational offering on the island". Nevertheless, the popular spokesperson acknowledged "the commendable work carried out during this legislature by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands". "New places have been created, Dual Vocational Training has been promoted, and investments have been made in infrastructure like never before".

During his speech, the minister Armando Santana expressed that "in a few years, no one will remember this debate, but they will remember the hundreds of young people who were able to study thanks to a decision like the one we are adopting today". 

Meanwhile, the VOX minister, Óscar Pérez, commented that "his party supports this motion because Vocational Training constitutes an essential tool for offering real opportunities to our young people and responding to the needs of Lanzarote's productive sector". "The creation of a second Integrated Vocational Training Center will allow the educational offering to be expanded. Investing in Vocational Training is investing in the future of Lanzarote, in the creation of quality employment, and in the economic development of our island", he concluded. 

The spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Alberto Aguiar, stated that "Lanzarote needs to take a leap forward in Vocational Training. Betting on a new Integrated Center is investing in youth, in education, in training, and in the future, offering more opportunities for our young people to train and work on their own island. We cannot continue depending on a single CIFP practically at its limit; Lanzarote needs to expand cycles, adapt the training offer to its economic and social reality, and have serious planning, with financing and deadlines, that turns this commitment into classrooms, training, and dignified employment".

Urgent island diagnosis

The explanatory statement of the declaration explains that Vocational Training is revealed as an essential instrument for sustainable development, employability, and social cohesion. 

The text highlights the notable population increase on the island, especially in the municipality of Yaiza and the southern region. This phenomenon runs parallel to economic growth linked to tourism, transport, event organization, and high value-added sectors.

The Cabildo's declaration also includes the formal commitment of the Yaiza City Council to cede the necessary municipal land: a plot that has the appropriate educational use and is strategically located next to the current IES Yaiza, connecting directly with the main residential areas and business centers.

Finally, the Insular Plenary jointly agreed to urge the Government of the Canary Islands to plan and execute the creation of this new Integrated Vocational Training Center on the island of Lanzarote, with the aim of expanding, diversifying, and territorially balancing the training and employment offer.