The Minister of Education, Science, Universities, and Vocational Training, Román Rodríguez, announced today to the educational community of the A Coruña center that the CIFP Paseo das Pontes has achieved the distinction of National Reference Center in Textiles, Clothing, and Leather. He was accompanied during the visit by the Director General of Vocational Training, Eugenia Pérez, and the Head of Human Resources for the production area of Inditex, Marta Espiga.
This declaration was agreed upon by the Vocational Training Commission of the Conference of Education and will be ratified next week at the General Council of Vocational Training, for subsequent approval by the Council of Ministers and publication in the Official State Gazette. The minister emphasized that this distinction ratifies the quality of these studies in Galicia, considering them an example of prestige and innovation at the state level.
Rodríguez attributed this "new success" of Galician Vocational Training to "constant work over time" and "joint collaboration" between the Administration, educational centers, management teams, teachers, students, and companies. Galicia already has three centers in the National Reference Network, with CIFP Paseo das Pontes being the only one specializing in Textiles, Clothing, and Leather. The other two are the Galician Institute of Aquaculture Training (IGAFA) and the Atlantic Maritime Fishing Institute, both in the Maritime-Fishing field.
The Network of National Reference Centers comprises 40 public centers across Spain, specializing in different productive sectors. CIFP Paseo das Pontes collaborates closely with the firm Inditex. Furthermore, Galicia has six centers in the State Network of Excellence in Vocational Training, positioning itself among the leading communities in this area.
Vocational Training in Galicia recorded a historic record of enrollments this academic year with 75,385 people, a 6% increase from the previous year. In the A Coruña area, 17,506 students are pursuing Vocational Training studies. CIFP Paseo das Pontes has 1,098 students and this year expanded its offerings with a new accelerated medium-grade Vocational Training cycle in Bar and Cafeteria Services.
Recognition as a National Reference Center implies specific funding from the Ministry to develop work plans, collaborate with the socioeconomic fabric, update the National Catalog of Professional Qualifications, and design technical improvement plans for teachers.
