Castilla y León launches new Vocational Training cycles in AI and Big Data

The Regional Ministry of Education of Castilla y León has authorized the implementation, change, and suppression of vocational training, baccalaureate, and special regime programs in public centers throughout the region starting from the 2026/2027 academic year. The measure is detailed in Order EDU/810/2026, of August 21, published in the Official Gazette of Castilla y León number 166, of August 27, 2026.

The order, signed by the regional minister María Pardo Álvarez, aims to increase the educational offer and rationalize the resources of the public center network. It is issued in accordance with Law 3/2001, of July 3, on the Government and Administration of the Community of Castilla y León, and Royal Decree 83/1996, of January 26, which approves the Organic Regulation of Secondary Education Institutes, among other regulations.

New Grade D training cycles

Thirteen public centers are authorized to implement Grade D training cycles across the nine provinces. Notable additions include:

• IES Jorge Santayana (Ávila): Bakery, Pastry, and Confectionery.
• CIFP Juan de Colonia (Burgos): Executive Assistance, in virtual modality.
• IES Ornia (La Bañeza, León): Pharmacy and Parapharmacy.
• IES Giner de los Ríos (León): Radiotherapy and Dosimetry.
• CIFP de Ponferrada: Emergencies and Civil Protection.
• IES Obispo Argüelles (Villablino): Microcomputer Systems and Networks.
• IES Diputación Provincial (Salamanca) and IES Leopoldo Cano (Valladolid): Access and maintenance in sports facilities.
• CIFP Río Tormes (Salamanca): Project Development in Thermal and Fluid Installations.
• IES Santa Catalina (El Burgo de Osma, Soria): Electrotechnical Installations and Mechanics.
• CIFP La Merced (Soria) and CIFP Ciudad de Zamora: Travel Agencies and Event Management and Tourist Accommodation Management, in virtual modality.

Specialization courses and changes in programs

In Grade E, five specialization courses are being implemented, including two in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data at IES Venancio Blanco (Salamanca) and IES Claudio Moyano (Zamora), as well as Mycological Tourism at CIFP La Merced (Soria), Building Information Modeling (BIM) at IES Enrique Flórez (Burgos), and Application Development in Python Language at CIFP Juan de Colonia (Burgos).

Additionally, changes to cycles are authorized in four centers, with simultaneous suppressions and implementations:

• IES Isabel de Castilla (Ávila): Chemistry and Environmental Health is removed and Pharmacy and Parapharmacy is implemented.
• IES Vasco de la Zarza (Ávila): Electricity and Electronics is replaced by Electrotechnical Installations and Mechanics.
• CIFP Santa Catalina (Aranda de Duero): Socio-sports Teaching and Animation is changed to Physical Conditioning.
• CIFP Ciudad de Zamora: Tourist Guide, Information and Assistance is replaced by Travel Agencies and Event Management.

Baccalaureate and special regime

In the baccalaureate, the General modality is implemented at IES «Juan de Juni» in Valladolid, in order to balance the educational offer of the municipality. In the special regime, the implementation of higher cycles in Animation at the «Casa de los Picos» School of Art and Higher Design in Segovia and Illustration at the School of Art and Higher Design of Zamora is authorized. At the Segovian center, the cycles of Passementerie and Ceramic Decoration are removed due to lack of demand.

The authorizations will take effect starting from the 2026/2027 academic year and implementation will be progressive by academic year. As an exception, the second year of Travel Agencies and Event Management will also be implemented in the first year at CIFP «Ciudad de Zamora». An appeal for reversal may be filed against the order within one month before the Minister of Education, or a contentious-administrative appeal before the High Court of Justice of Castilla y León within two months.

The resolution expands the public training offer with profiles linked to digitalization and territorial resources, and reinforces the Community’s commitment to a diversified Vocational Training (FP) adapted to the qualification demands of the students.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla y León, no. 166, August 27, 2026, I. Community of Castilla y León, D. Other Provisions, Ministry of Education, pp. 65-73 (official reference: BOCYL-D-27082026-166-12).