The professional guidance program Xcelence Aragón, driven by the Department of Education, Fundación Ibercaja, and Fundación Bertelsmann, has held a meeting with participating companies at the Fundación Ibercaja Campus in Zaragoza. The initiative continues to grow and has reached 39 educational centers in its third year of operation.
Objectives and functioning of the program
The educational program Xcelence Aragón establishes a framework to guide the academic and professional orientation strategy in secondary education schools. Its aim is to promote collaboration among educational institutions, companies, families, and other entities, integrating guidance as a strategic element and a collective responsibility of all educational stakeholders. The goal of the program is to prepare students to make informed and sound decisions regarding their educational and professional paths.
To strengthen ties between educational institutions and the business world, Fundación Ibercaja and Fundación Bertelsmann have created the web platform Empresas que Inspiran. This platform connects the professional guidance activities offered by companies with those requested by schools, facilitating the implementation of professional and academic guidance actions.
The meeting began with a speech by the director of the Fundación Ibercaja Campus, who welcomed the attendees. Next, Juan José Juárez, Project Manager of Fundación Bertelsmann, presented the Xcelence program to the companies.
Subsequently, the Director General of Educational Policy, Ana Moracho, shared insights on the impact the program is having on educational centers in Aragon. Finally, María Hernández, the head of Digital Programs at Fundación Ibercaja, expressed gratitude for the support from all those involved in the project.
The roundtable dedicated to best practices from companies included participation from Paola Martínez, Talent Development Lead at AMADEUS; Sara García, HR Manager at TUROMAS; and Mónica de la Concepción, Technology Manager at GOLIVE.
Participation and results
During the past 2024/25 academic year, the Empresas que Inspiran platform included the participation of 41 Aragonese companies. Additionally, 22 activities—such as talks and visits to workplaces—were organized in collaboration with the 23 centers that were part of the Xcelence program.
Participating centers in the last academic year:
Zaragoza: IES La Azucarera, IES Luis Buñuel, IES Miralbueno, IES Goya, IES María Moliner, IES Río Gállego, Colegio Compañía de María, Colegio Montessori, Colegio Sto Domingo de Silos, Colegio San Valero, IES Emilio Jimeno de Calatayud, IES Torre de los Espejos de Utebo, and Colegio Nta. Sra. del Pilar de Tarazona.
Huesca: IES Martínez Vargas de Barbastro, IES Biello Aragón de Sabiñánigo, IES Montes Negros de Grañén, IES Baltasar Gracián de Graus, and Colegio Sta. Ana de Huesca.
Teruel: IES Francés de Aranda, IES Vega del Turia, IES Santa Emerenciana, IES Salvador Victoria de Monreal del Campo, and IES Matarraña de Valderrobres.
Expansion and new agreement
For the 2025/2026 academic year, 16 new selected centers will join. In Huesca, the CPI Ramón y Cajal de Ayerbe, Colegio Escuelas Pías de Jaca, and IES La LLitera de Tamarite will participate. In Teruel, CPEPA Río Guadolope de Alcañiz and IES Valle del Jiloca de Calamocha will be included. In Zaragoza, FEC La Concepción de Santa Isabel, San Gabriel de Zuera, IES Tiempos Modernos, Colegio Salesiano Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Romareda Agustinos, CPI Julio Verne, IES Andalán, El Buen Pastor, Inmaculada Concepción, and Nuestra Señora del Carmen will join.
This week, the Government Council approved a new agreement between the Aragonese government, Fundación Bancaria Ibercaja, and Fundación Bertelsmann for the development of the Xcelence Aragón program for the new academic year. The agreement establishes the responsibilities…
