Building a Collective Learning Network: Castilla y León's Journey to VET Excellence

Castilla y León has taken a significant step towards enhancing its vocational education and training (VET) system through the creation of a network of VET centers with the seal of excellence. The network aims to train teachers and management teams of Centers of Vocational Excellence to recognize the meaning of VET excellence and the essential areas of excellence. The ultimate goal is to create a collective learning network that facilitates sharing of resources and best practices among the centers and enables them to progress together towards excellence. This collaboration will result in the creation of a "Guide of good practices" that will be shared with other VET centers in Castilla y León.

Inspired by the model of the ETF Network for Excellence, the Castilla y León VET Excellence Network held its first session last week. The session, titled "Innovative Teaching and Learning Methodologies," kicked off with a review of what it means to be a center of professional excellence and what constitutes good practice. An interactive tool was shared to enable the Castilla y León centers to learn about the main areas of excellence and their essential elements.

The session also highlighted innovative methodologies and their benefits, illustrated with examples being implemented in Castilla y León centers, such as project-based learning, problem-based learning, simulation, VR, AR, AI, and intermodular projects. Two exemplary practices in innovative methodologies in the Castilla y León community were presented in detail:

FPAR: a challenge-based learning model involving four VET schools, encouraging students to design their professional career and personal brand while considering the needs of the companies and business opportunities in the community.

Project-Based Learning at IES Fuentesnuevas: turning students of food industries into winegrowers and providing hands-on experience in all the tasks and functions to achieve the first harvest of Mencia grapes. More info here

Following the presentation, participants were divided into groups to discuss their experiences with innovative methodologies, the challenges they encountered while applying them, and any good practices they could share. The main conclusions were that each approach offered unique advantages, but selecting the appropriate methodology for each case could be challenging. Implementing innovative teaching and learning required teachers to learn new techniques and technologies, adapt to changes in the classroom environment, think creatively, and take risks. However, participants agreed on the positive impact of innovative methodologies on student motivation and essential skills development for the labor market. The challenges of assessing students with innovative methodologies were also discussed.

Between now and June, the network will hold four additional sessions on entrepreneurship, digitalization, public-private collaboration, and internationalization, and plan to continue building the network of VET excellence in Castilla y León

Link to the session (In Spanish)

Link to the initial presentation: VET excellence meaning, Good practice meaning, Innovative Methodologies in Castilla y León

Link to the IES Fuentesnuevas presentation (In Spanish)