Complete guide to advanced vocational training types in Spain

Vocational training in Spain is currently structured as follows: more than 150 official programmes, organised into 26 professional families covering virtually all productive sectors. From healthcare, IT, and administration to commerce, social services, and creative industries, vocational training has become a learning pathway closely connected to real-world employment.

Choosing a higher-level vocational training programme is not just a matter of personal vocation, but also of context, opportunities, and format. Today, on-campus, online, and dual-track options coexist to adapt to different personal and professional circumstances. Understanding the different types of higher-level vocational training available, how they are structured, and the career paths they lead to is essential for making informed decisions with a long-term perspective.

In this regard, you can consult the range of higher-level programmes offered by Planeta Formación y Universidades. This guide presents options aligned with current market needs and diverse student profiles. Throughout this guide, we review the main types of Higher Vocational Training in Spain to help you explore your options with clarity and confidence.

Main types of advanced vocational trainings by professional families

Higher Vocational Training in Spain is organised by professional families, a practical way of grouping training programmes according to the sector they serve and the actual functions performed in the workplace. This structure makes it easier to navigate because it does not refer to studies in the abstract, but rather to what types of professionals are needed and in which fields. Some families attract more students and offer more programmes because they respond to highly active sectors, with constant demand and well-defined career paths.

Healthcare: high-demand careers

The Healthcare family is one of the most established within Higher Vocational Training. It includes programmes such as Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, and Health Documentation and Administration. These qualifications are closely linked to the healthcare system and specialised centres, with compulsory practical training in real professional environments. As a result, they tend to maintain high enrolment levels and stable employment opportunities, both in hospitals and in private clinics, laboratories, and social and healthcare centres.

IT and communications: the digital engine

Information Technology and Communications includes some of the most widely recognised programmes of recent years: Web Application Development, Multiplatform Application Development, and Networked Computer Systems Administration. These programmes focus on programming, systems, networks, and digital environments, directly responding to the demand for highly sought-after technical profiles. This range clearly reflects how vocational training adapts to technological change and to the real needs of companies looking for operational, specialised professionals.

Administration and management: the foundation of companies

The Administration and Management family covers programmes that are part of the day-to-day functioning of any organisation. Degrees such as Administration and Finance or Executive Assistance prepare students for roles related to financial management, internal organisation, customer service, and support for management teams. It is one of the most common areas of study in training centres because it offers highly versatile career paths and is applicable to companies of all sizes and sectors.

Marketing and sales: connecting with the consumer

Higher-level programmes in Commerce and Marketing focus on understanding how products and services are sold and how brands connect with people. This includes areas such as Marketing and Advertising, Sales and Retail Management, and International Trade. The professional activity ranges from commercial strategy to communication, the digital environment, and foreign market management. This field is closely tied to changes in consumer behaviour, e-commerce, and companies’ online presence.

Sociocultural and community services: real social impact

Sociocultural and Community Services brings together programmes with a strong social and educational component. Social Integration, Early Childhood Education, and Communication Mediation are some examples. These studies train professionals who work directly with people in educational, social, or community settings. They often appeal to those seeking a career focused on support, education, and social intervention, with hands-on experience playing a key role from the very beginning.

In addition, there are resources that help explore pathways and programmes within these areas, such as information designed to help you get started in vocational training through specialised initiatives like our academic orientation test, linked to the current training offer.

Types of vocational training by study mode

• In-person advanced vocational training

This is the “classic” way of studying for a higher-level vocational qualification: attending a training centre, learning in a classroom with teachers and classmates, and carrying out most practical work in workshops or dedicated spaces within the centre itself. Regular attendance and direct contact with teachers and peers make it easier to resolve questions immediately and to engage with the everyday dynamics of an educational environment. Many official qualifications, both public and private, continue to use this model as the foundation of their teaching methodology.

• Online advanced vocational training

Online vocational training, also known as distance learning or e-learning, allows students to complete modules through digital platforms from anywhere. This does not mean a lack of structure: there is organised content, tutors, and schedules, but most interaction takes place online. This format is particularly suitable if you are already working, have other responsibilities, or need greater flexibility. In Spain, it has grown significantly in recent years, and many institutions combine digital resources with face-to-face tutoring sessions and exams when required by the curriculum.

• Dual vocational training

Dual vocational training takes a different approach: you do not only study theory in the classroom, but also spend a significant part of your time in a real company, learning through tasks that form part of everyday work. This alternation between the training centre and the productive organisation means that both the institution and the company are involved in your learning and assessment, allowing you to apply knowledge to real situations from the early stages of the programme.

A modality like Dual can also be regulated differently by each autonomous community, with varying models for how companies participate in practical training.

In addition, many centres offer variations or hybrid combinations of these formats to better suit individual needs. For example, centres such as iFP allow students to complete vocational training programmes both on campus and online, combining digital resources with classes and practical training whenever the programme requires it.

How to choose between different types of vocational training

Choosing is not just a matter of preference; it depends on your personal situation, your goals, and how you want to learn. If you value the pace and experience of a classroom with fixed schedules, on-campus vocational training can provide the routine and structured environment that many students are looking for.

Online vocational training can be an excellent option if you need to balance your studies with work, family life, or other commitments. It works particularly well for people who are autonomous and do not need daily, in-person support to resolve questions.

And if your priority is to enter the professional world as soon as possible, dual vocational training allows you to be immersed in the workplace while you study. It is not just about learning theory and then completing a placement at the end, but about experiencing both realities almost from the start.

Beyond the modality, it is also important to look at which centre or organisation offers each programme. Find out whether internships are included, how exams and assessments are organised, and whether tutoring or personalised support is available. Speaking with students already enrolled or with guidance counsellors at training centres can give you a more realistic picture of what each option truly involves.

Conclusion

Higher Vocational Training has a lesser-known but particularly interesting characteristic: it is one of the few educational pathways in Spain where students aged 18, 25, and 40 share the same classroom. Each comes with different goals, but all share a common purpose: learning something that is useful in the real world. This mix of profiles, experiences, and learning paces is one of its greatest strengths and helps explain why it continues to grow and evolve steadily. Understanding the different types of vocational training, their formats, and their professional fields is not about choosing “the right option”, but about finding what suits you now and helps you move forward in the future.

If you would like to continue exploring options, programmes, and possible pathways, you can do so through Planeta Formación y Universidades, a useful starting point for further exploration.