Canary Islands Converts IES San Marcos into Vocational Training Hub to Boost Regional Education

The Canary Islands government is reshaping its educational map by converting IES San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos into an Integrated Vocational Training Center (CIFP). This move, led by the Ministry of Education, is part of a broader strategy to decentralize technical training and bring specialized education closer to students living outside major cities.

Starting September 1, the school will stop offering compulsory secondary education to focus entirely on vocational training. This change addresses a long-standing request from northern Tenerife communities, including Garachico, Los Silos, Buenavista del Norte, El Tanque, La Guancha, and San Juan de la Rambla. By hosting these programs locally, the government is removing the need for students to travel over 60 kilometers to Santa Cruz or La Laguna.

Founded in 1974, the school is now preparing for significant expansion. Officials expect the student body to reach 400 by the 2026/2027 academic year. New courses will include Auxiliary Nursing Care, Dietetics, and a dual program in Administration and Finance combined with Management Assistance.

The curriculum has been carefully chosen to match the local job market. Students will be able to study subjects ranging from Hospitality and Tourism and Health to Electricity, Vehicle Maintenance, and Food Industries. By offering everything from basic vocational training to advanced management degrees, the Canary Islands government aims to make this center a key driver of employment for the island's rural and semi-urban areas.