Analysis of the situation of vocational training from the point of view of its protagonists

The Vocational Training could be considered one of the pillars above which has to be built a new economic model capable of providing an answer according to the needs of the modern labor market. In this process of adaptation and change directed by the influences of European policies, it is crucial taking into account both the vision of professors and students about the current state of Professional Training. Collecting their opinions would be an approach to reality that should be present in any system seeking continuous improvement and excellence. The present study reports the opinions of ten vocational training teachers and thirty-five students from Cantabria, through the use of interviews, in which could be identified their perception about possible potential in these studies, as well as limitations and needs and also suggestions for improvement. The research results show an increasing value of this educational stage, where we could notice a raise in the number of motivated students who value positively the practical approach of learning contents. It also detects the need of improvement in the relation between theory and practice, the need of a more increased use by teachers of participatory methodo-logies, the empowerment of the tutoring and guidance at this stage, and the development of cooperative and social skills and personal responsibility. Everything is included in a background beholding the particular need of flexibility in teaching methodology.