Nineteen students are trained in Surface Maintenance at S’Algar Training Center

On Tuesday, June 3rd, a new edition of the Level 1 Professional Certification Course in Surface Maintenance began at the S’Algar Training Center. The course, funded by SOIB, provides technical training in key areas of the nautical sector, including fiberglass, carpentry, basic mechanics, and onboard systems.

The course is part of the SOIB TRAINING IN ALTERNANCE FOR STRATEGIC AND HARD-TO-FILL SECTORS initiative, promoted by the Balearic Marine Cluster. It combines specialized training with internships in nautical companies in the Balearic Islands, aiming to improve employability and foster professional development in a sector that is strategic for the region.

Currently, the course in Mechanics and Electronics Applied to Boats is also underway, and on Monday, June 17th, the Nautical Painting course will begin, another key specialty in the field of refit and boat maintenance.

Looking ahead to autumn, the first edition of the Rigs and Sails course is set to launch in October. This will officially cover one of the most unique and artisanal areas of professional boating for the first time.

All of these training programs are developed in collaboration with SOIB and key training centers and are part of a shared strategy among the cluster, companies, and public administration to develop technically skilled talent in line with the real needs of the local production network.

The importance of these programs was highlighted at the recent event “Building Talent: Innovation, Training, and Business Collaboration”, held at the Centre Bit Raiguer (Inca). At this event, organized together with other regional entities, the Balearic Marine Cluster led a panel with leading industry companies to discuss the challenges of attracting, training, and retaining specialized technical talent.

The cluster places special value on the consolidation of its own training offer as an effective tool to enhance employability, promote operational excellence in companies, and strengthen the Balearic Islands’ position as a leading nautical hub in the Mediterranean.

In 2025, nearly 100 students from the Balearic Islands are expected to participate in training at the S’Algar Training Center and complete internships at various nautical companies, with the goal of specializing in one of the strategic sectors of the Balearic economy.

The cluster's objective is to continue expanding this offering to cover all areas within the Transportation and Vehicle Maintenance family, as listed in the National Catalogue of Training Specialties.

Companies participating in this Dual Training program receive a 100% subsidy for wage costs derived from the Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI), proportional to the student's working hours. This subsidy can increase by up to 25% for Level 2 certificates if stipulated by the collective agreement, and up to 10% for Level 1 certificates. Additionally, it includes 100% of Social Security costs and a supplementary €60 monthly payment per hired student, covering tutoring for the 12-month alternance contract period.

The Balearic Marine Cluster is committed to ensuring that, upon completion of the dual contract, students have the opportunity to remain employed by the same company or be placed in others within the sector. This helps to build a solid base of qualified professionals to secure the future of the Balearic nautical industry.