The board of COCETA gains first-hand insight into the Intensive Dual Vocational Training programme in Industrial Mechatronics developed by the Navarre-based cooperative — a pioneering model connecting education, employment and territory
The Spanish Confederation of Worker Cooperatives (COCETA), the main representative body of worker cooperatives in Spain, visited Tafalla Iron Foundry (TIF) as part of its bi-monthly meeting held in Navarra, with the aim of gaining an in-depth understanding of the Intensive Dual Vocational Training model promoted by the cooperative and exploring its potential for replication in other regions.
This strategic visit allowed members of COCETA’s board — led by its president, Luis Miguel Jurado — to tour the company’s industrial facilities, meet with plant and training managers, and thoroughly analyse a training programme that, since its launch in 2024, has become a benchmark in connecting business, the education system and the labour market.
“What we have seen at Tafalla Iron Foundry is a pioneering, highly inspiring and, above all, exportable model,” said Jurado. “It effectively addresses some of the major challenges faced by cooperatives in Spain: attracting talent, professionalising technical profiles, and creating real employment opportunities within the territory. It is an example of how the social economy can anticipate the needs of industry.”
During the visit, COCETA representatives learned first-hand about the structure and operation of the Intensive Dual VET Higher Degree in Industrial Mechatronics, developed in collaboration with the Government of Navarra and CIP Tafalla following an in-depth analysis of the qualification needs identified by the company’s own plant and maintenance teams.
A training model born in the factory
The programme combines more than 1,000 hours of theoretical training with paid internships within the cooperative, in a two-year pathway that enables participants to acquire advanced technical skills in a real industrial environment. In the current edition (2025–2026), more than fifteen students — including active cooperative members — are part of this training experience, which integrates learning, mentoring and professional development.
“The origin of this project is not in an office, but at the heart of the factory,” emphasised Ignacio Ugalde, Director of HR and Legal Affairs at Tafalla Iron Foundry. “It stems from the belief that training can transform realities. It shows that when companies, the education system and institutions listen to the territory and work together, new paths for the future emerge.”
Ugalde also highlighted the model’s distinctive nature: “This is a unique initiative at national level, as it does not simply offer internships but establishes a real commitment to long-term employment. We already have concrete cases of students who, after completing the programme, will join the cooperative.”
From an operational perspective, the programme is structured through a system of direct on-site mentoring, which “allows students to progressively integrate into production processes and gain experience in key areas such as mechanics, electronics, automation or industrial maintenance,” explained Industrial Director José Antonio Molina.
For COCETA, this comprehensive approach is one of the key points of interest. “There is no disconnect here between training and business. Everything is designed from a real production logic, but with a deeply social vision,” said Jurado. “It is a model that can help many cooperatives better structure their talent policies and create stronger integration pathways.”
An industrial cooperative with a global outlook and strong local roots
Beyond the training programme, the COCETA delegation also explored the cooperative model of Tafalla Iron Foundry, a company specialised in the manufacture of high-complexity iron casting components for the automotive, agricultural machinery and public works sectors, with a strong international orientation.
“We have been impressed by TIF’s ability to combine advanced industry, international presence and social commitment,” said Jurado. “The cooperative model here is not just a legal structure — it is a way of organising the company and relating to its environment. That is what gives it strength and meaning.”
In this regard, Tafalla Iron Foundry’s president, Félix Ferrer, reaffirmed the cooperative’s commitment: “Social commitment is part of our cooperative DNA. We will continue promoting equal environments, listening to our members and working towards a cohesive, innovative and open cooperative.”
Currently, the company’s workforce includes professionals from more than thirty nationalities, reflecting a diverse and open organisational culture.
Navarra: a cooperative ecosystem in evolution
COCETA’s visit is part of a broader agenda in Navarra, where the organisation has engaged with key institutional and cooperative stakeholders, highlighting the strong institutional support for the cooperative model and its role in economic and social development.
