Athletics, football, fencing… These are the training programs to pursue a career in sports

"I chose to study lifeguarding and first aid because I like sports and, at the same time, I like helping people," explains one student in this training program. "I chose fencing because I've practiced it since I was 11 and I've always seen it as a possible career path," adds another student. "Being a football coach is my dream," says a student who has opted for professional training in this sport. These are the voices of young men and women who, in recent years, have chosen to focus their education and careers on the world of sports. But what exactly are sports education programs in Catalonia, and how do they work?

Sports education is part of specialized vocational training and allows individuals to turn their passion for sports into a profession. In Catalonia, there are currently 14 different sports disciplines: from football, athletics, and fencing to diving and lifesaving. These disciplines encompass 41 qualifications, distributed between intermediate and advanced vocational training cycles. These programs are offered at more than forty centers and are characterized by a key feature: they combine technical training with knowledge of sports training and practice, along with periods of practical experience in companies or organizations within the sector.

The requirements to take them

These programs have a similar structure to other vocational training pathways, but with one key difference: admission requires more than just meeting academic requirements, such as having a secondary school diploma or baccalaureate. Students must also pass a specific test related to their chosen sport. This serves as a filter to ensure that students possess the necessary technical skills to begin their training.

Regarding the educational pathway, the intermediate level vocational training program leads to a sports technician qualification in a specific specialty and is structured in two levels or cycles. The first provides initial training that allows students to begin working in certain fields, and the second completes the qualification. From there, students can continue with the advanced level vocational training program, which requires prior completion of the intermediate level vocational training program and, usually, a high school diploma. Upon completion, they are eligible to attend university.

Job placement and career opportunities

So, what is the employment rate for these studies? According to the latest employment study by the Department of Education, 36.5% of graduates in sports education find work after completing their studies, and 30.9% combine work and training. Only 8.1% are actively seeking employment, while 24.5% choose to continue their studies to specialize or expand their educational path. Therefore, overall, the employment rate for graduates in the sports education field reaches 67.4%, and 55.4% of students continue their studies, based on 2024 data.

Regarding career opportunities, these studies allow graduates to work in various fields related to physical activity and sport. The sports technician qualification enables them to work as coaches or instructors in clubs, sports schools, federations, and municipal facilities, as well as to participate in sports initiation programs or athlete training. In some specializations, it also opens the door to more specific professions such as lifeguarding and rescue in swimming pools and beaches, or technical support in specific disciplines. Furthermore, those who continue with a higher-level qualification can assume more advanced technical responsibilities.