STEI warns of the lack of companies for vocational training internships and denounces a new step towards privatization

PalmThe STEI union has denounced the fact that "it is becoming increasingly difficult for teachers supervising Vocational Training internships to find companies to place their students with." The union points out that this situation affects secondary schools (IES), Vocational Training Centers (CIFP), and Adult Education Centers (CEPA) in the Balearic Islands, and that the situation has worsened with the new vocational training law. "The new vocational training law increases the time required for in-company training and mandates internships in the first and second years of intermediate and advanced vocational training cycles," the union notes. "We already warned that, given the small and medium-sized business sector we have in the Islands, this would be complicated and would ultimately lead to conflict, as is now evident," they add. According to STEI, the difficulty in finding companies is compounded by the fact that "public educational centers face many obstacles in signing internship agreements with private companies." Furthermore, they denounce that "teachers have seen a reduction in the number of hours they have to find companies for student internships, thus preventing them from completing their Vocational Training studies."

The union also points out that "the increase in private vocational training has led to a reduction in the internship agreements that public vocational training centers previously had." Furthermore, they warn that "there are suspicions of non-compliance with the vocational training law, which stipulates that companies where internships take place cannot receive any type of financial compensation." "Private companies that profit from vocational training are violating section 8 of article 55 of Organic Law 3/2022 on the Organization and Integration of Vocational Training," states STEI. "This will make it increasingly difficult for public centers to find partner companies," they warn.

The union demands more support for public vocational training.

In light of this situation, the STEI union is demanding "greater oversight of the private vocational training sector, increased hours for FEMPO tutors, and support from the Education Administration to maintain the quality and prestige of vocational training studies." The union believes the current situation "is a further step in the privatization of the Balearic Islands' education system, from the 0-3 age group to the advanced vocational training cycles," and warns of "the increasing difficulties faced by students in the public system in completing their educational pathways."