The Canary Islands government has approved a plan to transform the Instituto de Educación Secundaria (IES) San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos into a new Centre for Integrated Vocational Training (CIFP), starting from 1 September. The decision was made by the Council of Government, following a proposal from Education Minister Poli Suárez.
This new CIFP aims to enhance vocational training opportunities in northern Tenerife and address local educational and employment needs, as the IES San Marcos has been a key institution in vocational education for decades. By the 2026/2027 academic year, the centre expects to accommodate around 400 students and will introduce three new vocational courses.
The change is part of a broader initiative by the Canary Islands government to expand integrated training centres across the islands. It will serve students from Icod de los Vinos and neighbouring municipalities, including La Guancha, San Juan de la Rambla, El Tanque, Garachico, Los Silos, and Buenavista del Norte. This development will significantly cut travel times for students who previously had to journey over 60 kilometres to access certain courses in Santa Cruz de Tenerife or La Laguna.
From next term, the CIFP will exclusively offer vocational training across basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, delivered both in-person and remotely. The curriculum will align with key local industry needs. Notable additions for the 2026/2027 school year include a medium-level course in Nursing Care, an advanced course in Dietetics, and a dual degree in Business Administration and Management and Executive Assistance.
The new training programmes will complement existing offerings in sectors such as Hospitality and Tourism, Vehicle Maintenance, Electricity and Electronics, Health, Administration, and Food Industries. Basic courses will include Cooking and Restoration, Vehicle Maintenance, as well as Electricity and Electronics, while intermediate-level courses will cover Administrative Management, Electrical Installations, Cooking and Gastronomy, and more.
The advanced courses will comprise Dietetics, Executive Assistance, and a dual degree in Administration and Executive Assistance, among others, including a distance-learning option for Kitchen Management. This transformation continues the legacy of the IES San Marcos, which has been serving the community since its establishment in 1974.
