HETEL

What HETEL does

HETEL (Asociación HETEL, CIF G48409205, headquartered in Durango, Bizkaia) is a non-profit association that coordinates a network of 34 vocational training centers across the three provinces of the Basque Country (Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa), serving an aggregate student body of more than 5,000 across more than 20 professional families. The association operates under the public-facing identity "FP en Euskadi" and manages the full lifecycle of vocational training delivery through its member centers: Basic, Intermediate, and Higher-grade Formación Profesional (FP), specialization courses, entrepreneurship programs (Urrats bat, Ikasenpresa), and Erasmus+ mobility flows. Its pedagogical core is the ETHAZI methodology, a project-based collaborative learning framework deployed across the network. The association also produces labour-market integration reports and acts as a recognized interlocutor for the Basque vocational training system.

The association's primary program products are the international mobility and scholarship track (formerly Global Training, rebranded as Basque Global Industry, with 70 scholarships in the 2026 cohort and placements across 18 countries), Erasmus+ KA1 mobility programs operating under KA131 and KA121 accreditations for the 2021-2027 cycle, and a portfolio of Erasmus+ KA2 strategic partnership projects including CyVET Security (coordinated by HETEL), STEAM Forward, Networks of Networks, PROMOTE, CircularVET, DIGISTAINBILITY, and VR4VET. Specialized collaboration agreements include LAIT 4.0 with the IK4 Tekniker research center, Diseinua International with ROC Da Vinci College (Netherlands), and consortium partnerships with Confebask, Adegi, and Politeknika Txorierri. The association does not operate commercial tuition pricing; its operating model is non-profit coordination funded through member center contributions, Basque Government grants, Diputación Foral de Bizkaia support, European Union program funding, and foundation grants (BBK Fundazioa, Fundación Vital).

Name

HETEL

Legal name

Asociación HETEL

Website

https://hetel.eus

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

HETEL is a non-profit association coordinating 34 vocational training centers across the Basque Country, Spain, serving 5,000+ students with FP programs, Erasmus+ mobility, the Basque Global Industry scholarship program, and EU-funded strategic partnership projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO), Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ), Study Abroad Provider Networks, Consortia & Membership Organizations (EDAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Vocational training network
• Erasmus+ mobility programs
• Basque Country FP centers
• International internship scholarships
• Enterprise-linked training

Headquarters

HQ city

Durango

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions: HETEL operates as a non-profit association funded through contributions from its 34 member vocational training centers and public administration support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HETEL is a non-profit association that coordinates 34 vocational training centers across the Basque Country, delivering FP programs at Basic, Intermediate, and Higher levels across more than 20 professional families, along with international mobility (Erasmus+), Basque Global Industry scholarships, specialization courses, and European collaborative projects. The association connects students with regional enterprises for work-based learning and supports member centers with coordination, international project funding, and innovation programs.

Product overview

HETEL is a network association of 34 Vocational Training (FP) centers in the Basque Country (Euskadi), Spain. Rather than a unified software platform, the organization offers a portfolio of educational services: vocational training programs at basic, intermediate, and higher levels across over 20 professional families; international mobility through Erasmus+ and Basque Global Industry scholarships; specialization courses; European innovation projects; STEAM education; and entrepreneurship programs. These services are delivered through member centers and supported by initiatives connecting students with real companies for practical training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Training Programs (Ciclos Formativos) Vocational training programs at three levels (Basic, Intermediate, Higher) across more than 20 professional families, delivered to secondary education graduates and adult learners seeking employment-oriented training.
• Erasmus+ Mobility Program International mobility program enabling students from Basic, Intermediate, and Higher FP levels to complete training periods in European companies, with durations of 1 month (basic) to 3 months (intermediate/higher). Delivered under Erasmus+ 2021-2027 KA121 VET and KA131 Higher Education accreditation.
• Basque Global Industry Scholarships (Global Training) International internship program offering 6 months of work experience in companies across 18 countries for higher FP and university graduates from the Basque Country. Managed with Confebask, Politeknika Txorierri, Adegi, SPRI, and Basque Trade & Investment, with 70 scholarships managed for the 2026 cohort.
• Specialization Courses Advanced post-graduation specialization programs covering areas such as bicycle assembly and maintenance, cybersecurity in IT environments, and smart manufacturing, offered as professional development for FP graduates.
• European Projects (Erasmus+ KA2) European collaborative projects (Erasmus+ KA2) focused on vocational education innovation, digitalization, and international cooperation, including initiatives such as cyVET Security, STEAM Forward, VR4VET, Cybersecure Teaching, PROMOTE, CircularVET, DIGISTAINBILITY, and Networks of Networks (NoN).
• Entrepreneurship Programs (Urrats bat, Ikasenpresa) Entrepreneurship support programs (Urrats bat and Ikasenpresa) encouraging students to develop business ideas and launch companies during their FP studies, supported by tknika (FP Research and Innovation Center).

Quantifiable outcome

• High employment rate for FP graduates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Basque Government (Gobierno Vasco)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Basque Government, through its Departamento de Empleo, Cohesión Social e Igualdad (Department of Employment, Social Cohesion and Equality) and Departamento de Industria, Transición energética y Sostenibilidad (Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability), provides funding and institutional support for HETEL's vocational training initiatives. The association collaborates with government bodies on employment-oriented FP programs and inclusive labor market projects.
• Diputación Foral de BizkaiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Provincial Council of Bizkaia, specifically through its Department of Employment, Social Cohesion and Equality, funds HETEL projects including studies on improving labor insertion for Basic Grade FP students and inclusive employment programs.
• Basque Trade & Investment (BasqueTrade)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasque Trade & Investment (Agencia Vasca de la Internacionalización) is a key partner in the Global Training / Basque Global Industry scholarship program, enabling young Basque graduates to gain international work experience.
• SPRI - Agencia Vasca de Desarrollo EmpresarialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPRI (Agencia Vasca de Desarrollo Empresarial) collaborates with HETEL on the Basque Global Industry (Global Training) scholarship program, providing international placement opportunities for Basque FP and university graduates.
• ConfebaskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConfebask is part of the consortium (along with HETEL, Politeknika Txorierri, and Adegi) that manages the Global Training / Basque Global Industry scholarships for young Basque graduates.
• Politeknika TxorierricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the consortium managing Basque Global Industry (Global Training) scholarships for young Basque graduates.
• AdegicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the consortium managing Basque Global Industry (Global Training) scholarships for young Basque graduates.
• Erasmus+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHETEL holds Erasmus+ 2021-2027 accreditation for higher education (KA131) and vocational education and training (KA121) mobility consortia. The program enables student and staff mobility across Europe with inclusion and diversity principles.
• Lanbide - Servicio Vasco de EmpleominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Basque Employment Service collaborates with HETEL on employment-oriented training programs and labor intermediation services.
• tknika - Centro de Investigación e Innovación de la Formación ProfesionalminorStrategic or Co-development Partnertknika, the FP Research and Innovation Center, supports entrepreneurship programs in HETEL member centers including Urrats bat and Ikasenpresa initiatives.
• BIZKAIA TALENTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional talent attraction and retention initiative partnering with HETEL on employment-oriented initiatives.
• Roskilde Technical College (Denmark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish vocational training center collaborating with HETEL on European robotics curriculum development and international projects.
• EfVETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, an international association of which HETEL is a member.
• InnobasqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasque innovation agency supporting HETEL's vocational training innovation initiatives.
• EuskalitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasque quality management foundation; HETEL holds Bikain certification from Euskalit for language quality (bilingual Basque/Spanish services).
• BAI EuskarariminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAI Euskarari is a certification entity for Basque language use in organizations; HETEL holds BAI certification demonstrating commitment to the Basque language.
• Networks of Networks (NoN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ KA3 project (KA3-VET-Net) focused on improving VET quality in HETEL member centers by defining an internationalization strategy and strengthening European cooperation network. Partners include Onderwijsgroep Tilburg (Netherlands), HETEL, Gradia College (Finland), Belfast MET (Northern Ireland), and NCL (Scotland).
• STEAM ForwardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project promoting STEM education and professional orientation through innovative methods and digital tools, with special attention to underrepresented groups. Partners include Prosveta Foundation (Bulgaria, coordinator), HETEL, IMPACTSCI (Portugal), Computer Technology Institute (Greece), and Business Foundation for Education (Bulgaria).
• Cybersecure TeachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project improving digital competence and resilience of ISCED 1-3 level teachers, promoting cybersecurity awareness in VET. Partners include Jamk University of Applied Sciences (Finland, coordinator), HETEL, YSAO (Finland), Fachhochschule St. Poelten (Austria), Setubal Polytechnic Institute (Portugal), UC Limburg (Belgium), University of Navarra (Spain), University of Jyväskylä (Finland), Masaryk University (Czech Republic).
• PROMOTEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project for requalification of highly qualified immigrant women. Partners include WECTF (France), HETEL, Momentum Educate + Innovate (Ireland), Północna Izba Gospodarcza (Poland), Outside Media & Knowledge (Germany), Gairmeach Training (Ireland), Stiftelsen Kursverksamheten vid Umeå Universitet (Sweden).
• CircularVETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project updating curriculum competencies related to circular economy business transformation. Partners include ECOLE - Enti Confindustrial Lombardi per l'education (Italy), Prios Competanse (Norway), Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (Greece), EVBB (Germany), and CF Somorrostro.
• DIGISTAINBILITYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project integrating digital and sustainability skills into marketing qualifications. Partners include Nazaret, Il Mio Futuro (Italy), Istituto Politecnico Tomar (Portugal), ACEU (Germany), FBO (Bulgaria), Universitá Urbino (Italy), HETEL.
• VR4VETminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ project where VET centers from Netherlands (ROCvA), Finland (Gradia), Denmark (AarhusTech), and Basque Country (HETEL) collaborate with companies like Sayma to create virtual environments for improving customer service skills in hospitality, retail, consulting, and hairdressing/aesthetics sectors.
• CyVET SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ project coordinated by HETEL to develop cybersecurity competencies across various VET cycles. Partners include HETEL (coordinator), SRC (Northern Ireland), NCL (UK), BCS Koolitus (Estonia), ROC Da Vinci (Netherlands), Varia College Vantaa (Finland).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EVBB (European Association of Vocational Education and Training Providers): EVBB is a European association of VET providers participating in Erasmus+ KA2 projects (including with HETEL on CircularVET). It is a comparable established European association serving VET networks with overlapping policy advocacy and project-coordination roles.
• EfVET (European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training): EfVET is a pan-European association of VET providers of which HETEL is a member. It is comparable as a broader, established association coordinating VET networks across Europe, offering overlapping capability in internationalization and Erasmus+ advocacy at a wider geographic scope.

Regional players

• Tknika: Tknika is the Basque Country's FP Research and Innovation Center, collaborating with HETEL on entrepreneurship and innovation projects (Urrats bat, Ikasenpresa). It is a regional peer operating in the same Basque VET ecosystem with overlapping mission and member relationships.

Others

• CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training): CEDEFOP is the EU agency responsible for VET policy, research, and statistics across Europe. It is comparable as an ecosystem participant that influences the regulatory and funding environment in which HETEL operates, although it is a public agency rather than a competing association.
• ETF (European Training Foundation): The European Training Foundation is an EU agency supporting VET reform in EU partner countries. It is comparable as an ecosystem participant shaping VET policy and funding frameworks that influence HETEL's strategic context, particularly around international mobility.
• WorldSkills Europe: WorldSkills Europe organizes skills excellence competitions across the continent and engages VET associations and providers. It is comparable as a thematically related organization promoting the visibility and prestige of vocational training, which is central to HETEL's mission to 'prestigiar la FP.'

Direct peers

• Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa: Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa is a leading HETEL member FP and higher education center within the Mondragon Corporation ecosystem. It is directly comparable as a flagship member center delivering cooperative technical training and participating in HETEL's international programs.
• Ikaslan: Ikaslan is the other major Basque Country vocational training center association, operating as a network of FP centers similar to HETEL and directly comparable as a sibling association within the same regional ecosystem and overlapping member base.
• FPEmpresa: FPEmpresa is the national Spanish association of vocational training centers, providing the country-wide umbrella that HETEL's Basque network sits within. It is directly comparable as a higher-tier association coordinating FP centers and engaging with Spanish government on VET policy.
• Politeknika Txorierri: Politeknika Txorierri is one of HETEL's 34 member FP centers and a co-manager of the Basque Global Industry scholarship program. It is directly comparable as a major Basque FP center operating under the same cooperative education model, providing a member-level view of HETEL's network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvbtyqVwwbd8_ed6z0AKdXA
• Facebookfacebook.com/p/Hetelfp-61551792398733
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hetel-heziketa-teknikoko-elkartea-fp-lh
• Instagraminstagram.com/hetelfp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about HETEL