The Department of Education, Culture, and Sport of Aragón has launched ‘Trabaja en ESO’, an initiative aimed at introducing 4th-year Secondary Education students to the workforce. This project, part of the Xcelence Aragón program, offers work placements in companies and organizations, allowing students to experience the professional environment up close.
Understanding the world of work from school
‘Trabaja en ESO’ presents a unique opportunity for 4th-year ESO students in Aragón. Through educational placements lasting between 3 and 5 days, young people can experience the workings of different labor sectors. Although voluntary, this activity is integrated as a complementary activity within the school curriculum, providing added value to traditional education.
During these placements, each student is accompanied by a mentor from the collaborating entity, ensuring that the experience is enriching and safe. The initiative aims not only to inform but also to inspire young people in their future academic and professional decisions.
The role of the Xcelence Aragón program
The Xcelence Aragón program, within which ‘Trabaja en ESO’ is framed, is a joint effort between the Department of Education of Aragón, the Ibercaja Foundation, and the Bertelsmann Foundation. Since its inception, 39 Aragonese centers have joined this project, which is implemented in three phases: training of coordinators, curricular integration of the strategy, and finally, the execution of work placements.
This structured approach ensures that educational centers are well-prepared to offer their students meaningful work experiences that align with their studies.
Start of the pilot experience in 2026
The year 2026 marks the beginning of ‘Trabaja en ESO’ as a pilot experience in eight educational centers in Aragón. In Huesca, the IES Martínez Vargas of Barbastro and the IES Biello Aragón of Sabiñánigo participate; in Teruel, the IES Francés de Aranda; and in Zaragoza, the IES La Azucarera, IES Luis Buñuel, IES Miralbueno, Compañía de María School, and Montessori School.
These centers have the option to select collaborating entities through the platform empresasqueinspiran.es, or to contact official and non-profit organizations directly. The Department of Education plans to expand this initiative to more centers and students in the coming years, aiming to continue enriching the practical training of young Aragonese.
