Local Environment, Innovation and SMEs in the Spanish Vocational Training System

This paper presents the results from the FPInnova project, "Vocational training and innovation system: the role of intermediate workers in industrial SMEs’ innovation processes " (CSO2011-29410-C03-01), funded by the Spanish Ministry of science and Innovation. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between the training system and the regional innovation system of six Spanish industrialized regions. In the current context of economic crisis the study of the processes about the institutional and social construction of the economic model becomes more necessary. Education and innovation are part of the answer to the current challenges.

This research wonders how are the relationships between the training system and the regional innovation system, and what aspects could be improved.

Particularly, we want to study the relationship between the vocational training system and industrial enterprises of intermediate and high technology sectors in Spain, with special attention to its influence on innovation processes companies.

Methodologically, we have studied six Spanish regions with the combined use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. We have put the focus on VET centres and their relations with local SMEs. This approach, linked to the Regional Innovation System perspective, allow us to study the relationships between these actors and how these relationships shape the local environment. Here is an analysis of these relationships for two of these regions studied.