VET and Regional Innovation Strategies in Spain: An Analysis of the Public Agenda

The aim of this paper is to analyse the presence, nature and scope of vocational education and training (VET) on the public agenda for regional Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) in Spain. The research question is: How is VET included in regional smart specialisation strategies in Spain? The objects of analysis are the governance and conceptualisation of VET both in the context of the RIS3 agendas established and in the setting of strategic priorities and final objectives in Spain’s autonomous regions (N=17). This paper’s methodology combines qualitative document and content analysis with quantitative analysis of the European RIS3 database (Eye@RIS3). The findings indicate that the VET system is not included in most RIS3 since it is not considered an innovation actor but rather an attribute of the socioeconomic context relating to workforce and skills. The data show that strategic priorities relating to education (both as an economic sector and as a research area) are few and far between and that, when it comes to VET, these are practically non-existent in all but a few regions. The relevance of this study lies in its novelty, as there is very little research in this area, and it is important to emphasise the need for further analysis in the future.