The Maritime and Fishing Vocational Training Institute in Lanzarote has commenced the 2026-2027 academic year, introducing two new simulators to enhance its training offerings. This launch took place on Wednesday, 16 September, where Migdalia Machín, the islands’ Minister of Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture, alongside Esteban Reyes, General Director of Fisheries, marked the event.
The Canaries’ Ministry of Agriculture allocated €905,000 for these new training tools, consisting of a fire-fighting simulator and a GMDSS radio communications simulator. The fire simulator, costing €770,000, will be installed by the end of October, enabling students to train in near-real emergency conditions. The radio simulator, worth €135,000, is already operational, enhancing practical training for maritime communication, essential for various professional qualifications.
During the launch, Machín praised the fishing school as a pride of the island, highlighting its role in preparing professionals for a sector that demands increasing knowledge and innovation to tackle challenges like sustainability and responsible resource management. She encouraged students to make the most of their education, stating it opens doors to their future careers while benefiting a crucial sector in the Canary Islands.
Reyes added that vocational training centres are vital for ensuring the generational transition within the Canarian primary sector. He acknowledged the school’s contribution to the blue economy and its quality education, which was recognised in June with the Ocean Prize 2026 from the Atlantic Society of Oceanographers. He stressed the importance of specialised, practical training to meet the current and future challenges in the maritime and fishing sectors.
Currently, 240 students are enrolled, with expectations to exceed 700 registrations in maritime specialist courses. These figures may increase as Canaries offer an extraordinary enrolment period in September, with non-regulated courses running throughout the year.
The centre’s training programme includes Higher Level Cycles in Maritime Transport, Deep-Sea Fishing, and Ship Maintenance Organisation. It also offers Intermediate Level Cycles in Underwater Operations, Coastal Fishing, and Aquaculture among others. Moreover, various professional training courses are available, such as basic courses for Fishing Captain and Professional Diver. Specialised maritime training covers essentials like advanced fire-fighting certification and rescue boat instruction.
While the Lanzarote institute launched its academic year, similar events were held across other training centres under the Ministry of Agriculture, with representatives from the government attending inaugurations in various locations.
