Dual VET at CIEMAT 2026: What Changes for Educational Centers and Students in Castilla y León

Key data

Educational centers in Castilla y León that teach VET grades D and E have had, since October 20, 2026, a new destination available for the company training phase: CIEMAT centers. The agreement formalized between this public research organization and the Regional Government of Castilla y León, published in the BOE on November 2, 2026, authorizes CIEMAT as an organization equivalent to a company, which allows it to act as a training work center for all purposes of dual VET regulations.

This agreement responds to the obligation established by the Organic Law 3/2022 on the organization and integration of Vocational Training, which imposes a dual character to all VET of grade C, D and E, with a minimum of 25% of training conducted in a company or equivalent organization.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement creates a general framework for collaboration between CIEMAT and the Community of Castilla y León so that VET students of grades D and E can conduct their company training phase in the facilities of the research organization. The key points are:

• CIEMAT is recognized as an organization equivalent to a company, which grants it the same status as a private company for dual VET purposes.
• Its facilities act as training work centers in the energy and environmental sectors.
• Two company training regimes are established, with different conditions depending on the percentage of time dedicated to the company phase.
• Both parties must designate dual tutors who jointly sign the individualized training plan for each student.

The two planned regimes are:

Economic and operational impact

For educational centers, the agreement expands the catalog of organizations available to place their students in the dual phase, especially in qualifications linked to the energy and environmental sector. This reduces pressure on private companies in the sector and facilitates compliance with the 25% minimum required by law.

For students in intensive regime (more than 35% in company), the agreement implies the formalization of an employment contract with CIEMAT, which means labor rights and Social Security contributions during that period. This aspect has direct implications for the administrative planning of educational centers and the students themselves.

For CIEMAT, the agreement means assuming obligations as a receiving organization: designate dual tutors, participate in the development of individualized training plans and ensure that facility conditions are adequate for practical training.

The main operational impact falls on coordination between tutors: the tutor from the educational center and the dual tutor from CIEMAT must jointly sign the individualized training plan for each student, which requires fluid communication and prior planning before the start of each academic year.

Who does it affect?

• VET students of grades D and E enrolled in educational centers in Castilla y León in qualifications in the energy or environmental field.
• Educational centers in Castilla y León that manage VET cycles of grades D and E and must organize the company training phase.
• Dual tutors from educational centers responsible for coordinating and signing individualized training plans.
• HR and training departments at CIEMAT, which must designate dual tutors and manage employment contracts in the intensive regime.
• Regional Government of Castilla y León (Competent Department for VET), as a signatory party and responsible for supervising the agreement.

Practical example

A VET grade D student in a renewable energy qualification enrolled in an institute in Valladolid can be assigned to CIEMAT to conduct their company training phase. If the curriculum contemplates 30% of training in company, the student would enter the general regime: they do not need an employment contract, but they do need an individualized training plan signed by the institute tutor and the dual tutor from CIEMAT.

If, instead, the curriculum contemplates 40% of training in company, the student would enter the intensive regime: CIEMAT must formalize an employment contract with the student, with the Social Security contribution obligations and labor rights that this entails. The educational center must anticipate this scenario in its administrative planning before the start of the academic year.

What should educational centers do now?

1. Identify which grade D and E qualifications at your center have links to the energy or environmental sectors and could benefit from places at CIEMAT.
2. Contact the competent department of the Regional Government of Castilla y León to learn about the procedure for assigning students to CIEMAT under this agreement.
3. Designate dual tutors from the center who will coordinate with dual tutors from CIEMAT to develop and sign individualized training plans.
4. Determine the applicable regime for each student (general or intensive) based on the percentage of company training provided for in the curriculum, before the start of the training period.
5. Anticipate contractual management for students in intensive regime (more than 35% in company), since CIEMAT must formalize an employment contract with them.
6. Review compliance with the 25% minimum required by Organic Law 3/2022 for all students of grades C, D and E, regardless of whether they go to CIEMAT or another company or organization.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is merely informative in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23000