Menorca’s Centre de la Mar proposes introducing new higher-level nautical qualifications

Representatives from the Balearic Ministry of Education and Universities accompanied officials from Menorca’s Centre de la Mar to a working meeting with María Paz Sánches, Director General for Vocational Training at Spain’s Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport, to present a proposal for new higher-level qualifications linked to the nautical sector.

The initiative was presented by the centre’s director, Beatriz Méndez, alongside members of its management team, with the support of the Balearic Minister for Education and Universities, Antoni Vera, and the Director General for Vocational Training and Educational Planning.

During the meeting, representatives from the Centre de la Mar outlined the work undertaken in recent years by the National Reference Centre for the Nautical Sector to assess the industry’s training needs and develop a proposal for a new higher-level vocational qualification focused on the management and maintenance of recreational boats.

The proposal envisages a qualification whose final name and approval by the Spanish central government are still pending. It would provide a progression route from existing nautical studies and address emerging needs driven by technological developments in the sector. The curriculum would cover areas including propulsion systems, electrical and electronic installations, energy management, hydraulic systems, composite materials, boatbuilding carpentry, climate control and the organisation of maintenance work.

According to the document prepared by the National Reference Centre for the Nautical Sector, the proposal responds to demand identified among both students and industry businesses for more highly qualified professionals with diagnostic and planning skills and a comprehensive understanding of recreational boat maintenance. The project has been reviewed with training centres from several regions and industry representatives.

The meeting provided an opportunity to present this need to the Ministry and begin an initial technical assessment of the feasibility of adding the qualification to the vocational education and training system. The proposal remains at an early stage and still requires assessment by the relevant authorities and further technical work before it can potentially be introduced.

The Balearic Ministry of Education and Universities expressed its support for initiatives that align training provision with the needs of the Balearic Islands’ strategic industries and expand students’ opportunities for training and professional qualifications.