The Ibercaja Foundation and the Automotive and Mobility Cluster of Aragón (CAAR) have renewed their commitment to industrial technical education in Aragón through an agreement that strengthens the «Learning Factory» initiative. This educational project aims to connect academic training with the reality of industrial production, fostering young talent and enhancing business competitiveness in the region.
Practical Training for the Industrial Future of Aragón
The Learning Factory project focuses on forming multidisciplinary teams that include engineers, industrial technicians, unemployed individuals undergoing professional retraining, and university students from vocational training. The program’s methodology allows participants to develop technical and personal skills in a real production environment, facilitating the understanding of the practical application of academic knowledge.
The initiative is aimed at four main groups: active workers, unemployed individuals seeking professional reconversion, university students, and vocational training students, with a special emphasis on the dual modality. This diversity of participants seeks to ensure a broad and significant impact on the Aragonese industrial sector.
Results and Projections of the Initiative
During the 2024-25 academic year, a total of 55 students completed the training offered by the project. Of these, 12 professionals participated in specialization courses in automated automotive engineering and industrial operations management, while 31 students were trained in advanced injection techniques. Additionally, representatives from CAAR presented a paper on the development of learning factories in Aragón during a congress in Cape Town, highlighting the international reach of the initiative.
Looking ahead to 2026, new programs will be launched, including the eighth edition of the Mobility and Industry Suppliers Meetings (MISM), the Operations Management Program, the Reskilling +45 Program in collaboration with INAEM, and the second edition of Mobility Talent, which will be held for the first time in Teruel. These actions aim to raise awareness of quality technological employment and promote vocations among young people.
Economic and Social Impact of the Project
The CAAR, which represents 138 members and more than 300 companies, employs 34,000 people, accounting for 27% of the industrial employment in Aragón, and generates a business volume close to 12 billion euros. This economic impact highlights the importance of the automotive sector in the region and the necessity of initiatives like Learning Factory to maintain its competitiveness.
The signed agreement aligns with the action pillars of the Ibercaja Foundation, focused on improving employability, developing talent, transforming teams, and industrial qualification while promoting an entrepreneurial ecosystem oriented towards sustainable mobility.
