The live enrollment reduces vacant places in vocational training by 3,000.

BarcelonaVocational training (VT) classrooms reopened this Friday after the summer break, but they still had some empty seats. The VT registration period ended on September 8. with more than 15,000 vacancies (15,232), a figure that has been reduced over the days and with the arrival of live registration: in three days, 3,000 people have signed up and the number of empty seats has been reduced to 12,000. In August, 14,840 students did not have a placeto the studies they wanted.

This was stated by the Regional Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Esther Niubó, from Vilanova i la Geltrú during the first day of post-compulsory studies (baccalaureate and vocational training). During a visit to the Francesc Xavier Lluch i Rafecas High School, which specializes in vocational training, the regional minister celebrated the fact that 71,242 students enrolled in this type of studies this year, a "record" figure that increases the figure for 2024 by almost 10,000 students. "It was an unthinkable figure: vocational training."

In an attempt to manage the thousands of vacant places, the department will hold a meeting on Monday.publish a map with the available spacesacross the country. According to data from this interactive resource, there are still up to 6,035 places pending at the intermediate level (GM). Regarding the advanced level (GS), the number of vacancies is 5,808. Before the closing date for registration, the programs with the most vacancies were computer systems and networks, administration and management, healthcare, sociocultural and community services, and commerce and marketing.

Indeed, some of these programs coincide with those that have been most in demand: the record is held by the nursing assistant course, with 98.32% of the 7,000 available places filled. Next in line are the computer systems programs, with 5,542 places filled (84% of the offers), and the administrative management program, with 85.91% of places filled (4,849 available).

In the case of advanced courses, there were mainly vacancies in sociocultural and community services, IT and communications, commerce and marketing, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism. In this case, the most requested courses were early childhood education, with 88% of the 2,875 places filled, and administration and finance, with 3,327 places available, of which 87.25% have already been filled.

20,000 withdrawals

In this regard, the regional minister emphasized that the number of vacant places is also due to students who, while initially eligible, have ultimately dropped out. This has occurred in two out of ten intermediate-level students, reaching a total of 9,000 students. Niubó pointed to several reasons for this phenomenon: "Double enrollment in vocational training and high school, entering the workforce, pursuing one of the artistic or sports programs, or opting for training at a private school."

In the case of advanced levels, three out of ten students have dropped out, a figure that rises to 11,000 students. "We have made a huge effort and we are satisfied. We have redefined the entire pre-registration system and have been able to create places where necessary," Niubó concluded.

Students who are unsure or have been unable to enter the university courses they wanted can now enroll in these degrees through the live enrollment system. The regional minister welcomed the fact that these "express" admissions have helped reduce the number of students who were forced to complete the paperwork to access courses in mid-autumn. Despite this year's record number of places filled, Niubó asserted that there is "a certain margin for viable growth," but emphasized that companies must collaborate with Educació to secure new places that guarantee internships.