This morning, the AMB (Barcelona Metropolitan Area) headquarters hosted the conference “Talent and Road Passenger Transport.” During the event, a sectoral study focusing on vocational training was presented. The research was conducted by the Vocational Training Observatory of the BCN VET Foundation in collaboration with the AMB. Key participants included Ester Pujol, Director of Social and Economic Development at AMB, and Joan Maria Bigas, Director of Mobility, Transport, and Sustainability at AMB. The presentation was led by Javier Gracia, research investigator and technician at the FP Observatory, and Àngel Tarriño, coordinator of the Observatory, who also moderated a round table with industry representatives. The closing remarks were delivered by Francesc Roca, Secretary of Vocational Training for the Government of Catalonia.

Road passenger transport is an essential pillar for mobility in the Barcelona metropolitan area and a key tool for transforming the current model, fighting climate change, improving air quality, and reducing dependence on private vehicles. The study offers a comprehensive analysis of the current situation and future perspectives for the passenger transport and vehicle maintenance sector. It focuses specifically on professional profiles and training needs during a period marked by growing demand, labor shortages, and profound technological shifts.

The sector is moving toward greater digitalization, increased demand for driving, maintenance, and management roles, and the progressive implementation of zero-emission fleets.

• Job Creation: Employment in the sector grew by 24.5% between 2013 and 2025, reaching 53,862 jobs.
• Regional Concentration: Jobs located in the metropolitan area represent 74% of the provincial total.
• Sector Breakdown: Long-distance and discretionary transport account for 43%, urban buses for 27%, and maintenance for 9%.

Drivers remain the most in-demand profile. According to FECAV (Federation of Passenger Transport), between 3,800 and 4,600 new professionals must be recruited in the Barcelona metropolitan area by 2030 to cover retirements and service expansions.

The European Union has noted that poor working conditions and entry barriers—such as the high cost of training—hinder talent attraction, warning that a lack of generational turnover puts operational continuity at risk.

Proposed Solutions for Training: Current vocational training for road vehicle driving is limited by the absence of the Class D license in the official curriculum. To increase efficiency, the study recommends:

• Integrating license preparation directly into the degree.
• Establishing agreements with the DGT to speed up exams.
• Subsidizing the Class D license and the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).
• Promoting public-private partnerships for driver training programs.

While the volume of mechanics and electromechanics needed is lower, these are strategic roles essential for maintaining industrial vehicles and transitioning to electric fleets.

Currently, there is a “perception gap”: students often view heavy-vehicle mechanics as low-tech, making it difficult to fill vacancies. Furthermore, existing training is largely oriented toward passenger cars rather than industrial machinery. The study suggests creating a specialized training itinerary that progresses from a basic degree in electromechanics to a higher degree specialized in buses, covering electronics, hydraulics, and alternative propulsion.

Ester Pujol highlighted that this research provides a realistic foundation for addressing talent challenges through public-private cooperation.

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ⁱ From a demographic perspective, the extension of the management of the Intercity Bus Service to the municipalities of the AMB’s second crown means addressing the mobility needs of 3,353,878 residents, a 14% increase compared to the EMT territorial scope. Regarding mandatory mobility, this expansion implies a 16% increase in the population aged between 16 and 24, the age bracket corresponding to post-compulsory education, and an 11% increase in the number of jobs. The increase in demand for intercity buses strains the shortage of male and female drivers. In 2025, intercity bus services in Catalonia closed with record demand figures, rising from 82 to 90 million users, in a context marked by a sharp increase in the population residing outside Barcelona. Furthermore, a flow of commuter rail users has switched to the metropolitan bus fleet due to the sustained poor performance of the Rodalies rail service. This demographic pressure has led to a notable increase in the volume of trips, to the point where the sector expects to double the intercity bus fleets within a three-year horizon.

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Access the study:

Transport de viatgers per carretera

We traveled to IFEMA Madrid to actively participate in REBUILD 2026, the benchmark event for the industrialization, digitalization, and sustainability of the building sector.

From the BCN Vocational Training Foundation, on March 26 at 1:00 PM in the Saint-Gobain Theatre room, we moderated a key session for the future of the sector: “New training proposals”, featuring 13 speakers from leading institutions such as Escola del Treball de Barcelona, Institut Castellet, Institut Torre Vicens de Lleida, IES Vasco de la Zarza (Ávila), and the Integrated Construction VET Center of Bizkaia, among others.

The aim was to share, through dynamic elevator pitch-style presentations, some innovative projects from VET centers and to showcase how education in the construction field is being transformed through Virtual and Augmented Reality and BIM models.

In addition, this event becomes every year a meeting point for Building VET centers from across the country and a space for recognizing students through the ANDECE Awards, which this year honored students from Institut Provençana (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) and Institut Torre Vicens de Lleida.

We continue to promote Vocational Education and Training to lead the technological transformation in the building and Construction 4.0 sector.

Having female role models in FP STEAM is essential to combat gender segregation and encourage careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors. These role models help students identify real and accessible career paths, strengthen confidence in their technical abilities, and break stereotypes about technological and innovative professions. They also contribute to creating more diverse, equitable, and labor-market-aligned educational and professional environments.

In this context, the Fundació BCN Formació Professional runs an initiative to highlight one female FP STEAM role model every month, aiming to recognize female talent and bring inspiring career paths closer to students.

The highlighted woman of the month is Naomi Rodríguez Sánchez, a young professional and activist protagonist in the technology field. Naomi actively participated in the Trobades amb joves protagonistes organized by Barcelona Activa, where she shared her personal and professional experience with over 100 young people interested in technology, artificial intelligence, chatbots, and programming.

Naomi’s career demonstrates the importance of combining technical education with real-world practice and networking experiences. Her participation as a young protagonist alongside active professionals in the technology sector offered the audience an inspiring and tangible view of professional opportunities in the STEAM field.

Beyond her technical training, Naomi’s involvement in events like this helps make female career paths in innovation visible—from automation and robotics to AI-driven and technological development—showing the capacity of young women to lead and excel in emerging tech areas.

Through initiatives like this, we reinforce our commitment to connect young talent with the technology sector, promote female participation in FP STEAM, and highlight stories that inspire and guide new generations toward the professions of the future.

The FPemprèn Awards continue to roll out the Pre-consolida program with the holding of the second and third sessions during the month of March, thus consolidating this training pathway aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial competence of participating students.

On March 4, the second workshop took place at the Cercle d’Economia de Barcelona. This session focused on how to transform ideas into viable business models through the development of the marketing and sales plan, the operations plan, and the human resources plan, as well as an introduction to the financial plan. The workshop was delivered by Juan Álvarez de Lara, from Solvere Capital.

The third session of the program was held on March 25 at Citilab in Cornellà de Llobregat. This workshop focused on the development of the economic and financial plan of the projects using the POL (Online Business Plan) tool. During the session, key aspects such as revenue and expense forecasting, the income statement, cash flow planning, and financing needs were addressed. The training was delivered by Juan Álvarez de Lara, from Solvere Capital, and Ariadna Monerris, Entrepreneurship technician at Barcelona Activa.

With these two new sessions, the Pre-consolida program continues to offer a practical and collaborative space that allows participants to advance in the development of their business projects, with the support of expert professionals and specific tools for their viability and growth.

In recent weeks, Xarxa FP has carried out an intense international agenda, highlighting its key role in innovation and cooperation in vocational education and training across Europe.

On the one hand, Barcelona hosted the exploration session of the European project Build Your VETter Future Challenge, held from 24 to 26 February at Institut Provençana and El Convent of Barcelona Activa. Students and tutors from Denmark, Finland, Italy and Belgium took part in an intensive programme focused on sustainable construction and timber building. Following the project presentation and the challenge introduced by Egoin Wood Group, participants formed international teams to begin the exploration phase and define their project goals. The programme concluded with a visit to the Poblenou district, where participants explored initiatives related to urban innovation and sustainability.

At the same time, the ElectriCars VET Hub project, also coordinated by Xarxa FP, has progressed in developing and testing training content on electric mobility. After an initial meeting in Rovaniemi (Finland) in November 2025, the process continued with a meeting in Treviso from 10 to 13 March. During this session, teachers analysed the results of the pilot course on maintenance and repair of electric vehicles and defined improvements for its implementation. Activities included diagnostic simulations on a FIAT 500 electric vehicle and sessions on the Italian labour system in the automotive sector and the impact of electric mobility.

These initiatives take place within a context of growth and consolidation for Xarxa FP, as highlighted during the 27th General Assembly held on 5 March in Alcoy. The event gathered over 50 international representatives from the network’s 39 members and marked a record year in 2025, with 824 mobility experiences for students and staff. A new sustainable construction project funded by Erasmus+ was also presented, and two new member cities joined the network: Horsens (Denmark) and Agia Napa (Cyprus).

Overall, these actions reinforce Xarxa FP’s commitment to innovative, international and future-oriented vocational education aligned with Europe’s emerging challenges.

Today we are taking part in the event “Dual VET: An Opportunity for Companies”, held at the DFactory Barcelona Auditorium, as part of our commitment to strengthening the connection between the education system and the productive sector.

We begin the session with an institutional welcome shared with representatives from the Consortium of the Barcelona Free Trade Zone, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and the BCN Vocational Training Foundation, from where we reaffirm our commitment to the development of vocational education and training in the city.

Throughout the day, we address the latest developments in Dual VET and the key role played by companies, as well as hearing firsthand testimonies from companies and students already participating in this training model.

We also present the Dual VET Accelerator, an initiative we promote to encourage business involvement and improve young people’s training and employment opportunities.

We close the event by highlighting the importance of institutional collaboration to continue advancing towards a more innovative, inclusive VET model aligned with labour market needs.

We begin the international mobility phase of the Erasmus+ PFI project with the Toulouse group. After the preparatory work carried out in the intercultural workshops, we approach this new stage with enthusiasm and commitment. 

In the coming days, the young participants will carry out professional internships related to their studies, a key opportunity to put their acquired knowledge into practice and develop new skills in an international environment. At the same time, we will take part in various cultural activities that will allow us to get to know the city of Toulouse and explore its culture more deeply. 

This experience offers a comprehensive learning environment where we combine training, personal growth, and coexistence, while reinforcing the values of interculturality and cooperation that define the Erasmus+ PFI project, with the support of SEPIE. 

On March 14, students and teachers participating in the MetròpolisFPLab programme had the opportunity to visit the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during a special day organised by the venue itself.

The activity included a guided tour led by Circuit professionals, showcasing key areas such as access points and parking zones, with the aim of helping teams gain deeper insight into the proposed challenge.

In addition, attendees were able to enjoy the rest of the day at the Circuit, coinciding with the Winter Series 2026. This voluntary initiative helped complement the programme’s learning experience with practical, on-site insight.

On March 12, a new edition of the Simulated Companies Fair was held at Institut Esteve Terradas i Illa, a day in which students put their knowledge and negotiation skills into practice, sharing ideas, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit with the educational community.

The BCN Vocational Training Foundation participated by supporting the initiative. During the welcome session, the CEO, Neus Pons, addressed the attendees, highlighting the importance of these experiences in bringing vocational training students closer to the business world.

This initiative is part of the financial support provided by the Foundation to help VET centers implement and run simulated companies, thereby promoting practical learning environments and the development of entrepreneurial skills. In this area, the BCN FP Foundation collaborates with the Inform Foundation.

The next call for these grants will be published in May 2026.

Last Wednesday the 11th, we held the final intercultural workshop of the Erasmus+ PFI project. This session has been essential in preparing students for their upcoming stay in Toulouse andDijon, where they will have the opportunity to enjoy an enriching international experience. 

During the workshop, we worked on key aspects such as conflict management and established common rules through a “group contract”, with the aim of ensuring coexistence and respect throughout the stay. These activities help strengthen group cohesion and ensure that each participant feels comfortable and integrated into the new environment. 

With this final session, we feel fully prepared and excited to begin this adventure, following the values of interculturality and collaboration promoted by the project. 

This workshop is part of the Erasmus+ PFI project, supported by SEPIE.