From 8 to 11 November, Bilbao hosted the Network of Networks Annual Conference, Basque Country 2026, a European gathering of vocational training centre networks organised and led by HETEL, the association of vocational training centres in the Basque Country to which Somorrostro belongs. Around 70 professionals and representatives from various European countries and regions, including Scotland, Finland and the Netherlands, took part in the working sessions and the programme’s activities.
The conference focused on digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence in Vocational Training. The joint event on 10 November took place at the Bizkaia Euskaltel Digital Centre in Bilbao. Following the opening address by Julen Elgeta, president of HETEL, and a welcome from Nerea Enbeita, director of Euskaltel Fundazioa, the programme addressed Somorrostro’s AI strategy. Our lecturer Jon Ander Maiz presented the paper ‘AI strategy at CF Somorrostro, centre of vocational excellence in AI’.
Data first, Artificial Intelligence second
The presentation explained that the centre’s strategy is based on a fundamental principle: to obtain useful results from AI, high-quality data is required. Before implementing artificial intelligence models, it is necessary to organise, digitise and manage the data. Technology, on its own, does not remedy a lack of quality; it can actually exacerbate the problems.
This approach also reflects the reality of Somorrostro as a vocational training centre. The aim is not to train researchers, but to prepare professionals capable of meeting the needs of businesses and the industrial sector. To this end, the strategy combines training, applied projects and collaboration with companies.
The presentation introduced the specialisation course in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, which covers data systems and applications, AI models and machine learning. Students undertake projects based on real-world challenges, such as the real-time visualisation of road traffic accidents using public data, an agent that matches job vacancies with CV details, or a computer vision system for detecting fires. These experiences enable them to work with data, tools and problems similar to those they might encounter in a professional setting.
A centre of excellence that shares knowledge
Somorrostro is a Centre of Excellence for Vocational Training in Artificial Intelligence and Big Data, designated by the Ministry of Education since 2023. This role extends beyond teaching: it involves collaborating with businesses, promoting applied innovation projects and sharing knowledge with other centres. Among the initiatives presented are a tool for consulting wind turbine maintenance manuals, a digital twin for monitoring a workshop, the development of industrial data spaces and a connected additive manufacturing facility.
The strategy also takes into account the centre’s internal needs. The automation of repetitive tasks — such as managing work placements, recognising prior learning or monitoring course progress — can reduce administrative workload and free up time for teaching. To this end, the presentation emphasised the importance of controlling data and deciding carefully how it is used.
Preparing students and teachers
The session also addressed how to integrate AI into education. Somorrostro advocates teaching pupils to use it judiciously: to check their answers, understand its limitations, protect data and apply it to real-world tasks and problems. He also highlighted the need to support teachers, as the introduction of these tools requires training and a review of certain approaches to setting work and assessing learning.
The meeting enabled the participating networks to share the work they had carried out over the year in areas such as innovation, sustainability, internationalisation and skills competitions, as well as to explore opportunities for future joint projects. Euskaltel Fundazioa’s participation strengthened the link between vocational training centres and the technology and business ecosystem.
The event itself provided a practical example of this exchange: an AI-based demonstration tool was used to translate in real time from Basque into English, the language in which the session was conducted.
The conference concluded on 11 November with a workshop on the future of the Network of Networks and a project fair. For Somorrostro, taking part was an opportunity to share its experience as a centre of excellence and to learn alongside other European networks. As Jon Ander Maiz summed up at the end of his presentation: “Data first. AI second. People always.”
