Fuerteventura adds 18 new vocational training programs, debuting Food Product Marketing next year
The education plan presented by the Canary Islands Ministry of Education adds 18 new vocational training (FP) cycles in Fuerteventura and introduces a new on‑site programme: Food Products Commercialisation. The expansion is part of a broader strategy to bring vocational education closer to students without forcing them to leave the island.
The announcement was made by Poli Suárez, the Councillor for Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, during a press conference at the Integrated Vocational Training Centre (CIFP) Felo Monzón Grau‑Bassas in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He outlined the main novelties of the FP offer for the 2026/2027 academic year, which include new study programmes, an expansion of dual‑degree options, and a reinforced virtual modality.
“We continue taking steps to consolidate a more modern vocational training system that is better connected to the reality of our islands, expanding the offer and creating new opportunities for students throughout the archipelago,” — Poli Suárez.
“The incorporation of new cycles, the boost of the virtual modality, and the growth of dual‑degree pathways respond to a planning process that takes into account both labour‑market demands and students’ needs,” — Suárez added.
“One of the biggest advances of this proposal is that it allows students to study more and better without having to leave their island, bringing vocational training to every corner of the Canary Islands thanks to the new island map of FP,” — the councillor emphasized.
Goals and overall impact
- The ministry aims to reach approximately 52,000 FP students in the next academic year, an increase of about 4,500 compared with the current enrolment.
- A total of 184 new cycles will be added across the islands:
- 62 in Gran Canaria
- 61 in Tenerife
- 18 in Fuerteventura
- 16 in La Palma
- 10 in La Gomera
- 10 in Lanzarote
- 7 in El Hierro
These additions are intended to strengthen strategic sectors of the Canary Islands’ economy while improving the territorial distribution of study options.
New study programmes and families
The plan introduces new qualifications in the professional families of Chemistry, Sociocultural and Community Services, and Security and Environment. It also adds adapted‑training itineraries such as the Auxiliary Activities in Agriculture programme.
A brand‑new FP website for the Canary Islands will be launched next week. It is designed for three main audiences:
- Employers – to meet their needs for accreditation, talent search, and participation in dual‑training schemes.
- Students – to easily browse all professional families, programmes, and locations.
- Teachers – to access essential tools for managing dual vocational training.
The site will be mobile‑friendly, intuitive, and focused on rapid access to information.
Virtual modality
The virtual modality is now a core development line, allowing students to combine residence on any island with their studies. New virtual offerings include:
- Personal and Corporate Image Consulting (family: Personal Image).
- Second‑year virtual courses in Web Application Development, Multiplatform Application Development, Management Assistance, and Marketing & Advertising – aimed at those who already hold a qualification and wish to obtain a dual degree.
Dual‑degree pathways
Dual degrees are a flagship feature of the new FP map. They enable students to study two related cycles simultaneously, earning two titles in three years. This accelerates entry into the labour market and offers greater flexibility.
Eight new dual‑degree combinations have been approved:
- Administration & Finance + Management Assistance
- Sales & Commercial Spaces Management + Marketing & Advertising
- Transport & Logistics + International Trade
- Web Application Development + Multiplatform Application Development
- Kitchen Management + Catering Services Management
- Tourist Guide, Information & Assistance + Travel Agencies & Event Management
- Automotive Electromechanics + Machinery Maintenance
- Graphic Production Design & Management + Production in Graphic Arts Industries
New on‑site programmes by island
- Emergencies and Civil Protection – El Hierro
- Food Products Commercialisation – Fuerteventura
- Livestock & Veterinary Assistance and Chemical Plant – Gran Canaria
- Coordination of Personnel for Professional Meetings, Congresses, Fairs, Exhibitions & Events – La Gomera
- Oral‑Dental Hygiene – Lanzarote
- Pharmacy & Parapharmacy – La Palma
- Applied Environmental Health and Personal & Corporate Image Consulting – Tenerife
These additions further diversify the educational landscape across the archipelago.
Strategic planning
All these measures are embedded in the Canary Islands Vocational Training Map, the principal planning instrument for FP in the region. The map is built on labour‑market analysis, sectoral reports, and dialogue with local governments, educational institutions, and social agents. Through this process, the ministry continues to advance a vocational training model increasingly aligned with the islands’ productive fabric.