The regulation for the organization of professionalizing education in the virtual modality establishes that the spaces for conducting the final in-person exams “must be established in Catalonia”. This decision directly affects the Lleida-based company, which offers about thirty Vocational Training cycles and has 75% of its 30,000 enrolled students residing outside the territory, as confirmed by CEO Jordi Giné.
“"it would hurt us immensely"
Currently, Ilerna schedules final exams in various provincial capitals where it already has in-person centers or rents spaces. In addition to the headquarters in Lleida, the company has facilities in Barcelona, Tarragona, Madrid, Seville, Valladolid, Córdoba, and Jerez. If the decree proceeds unchanged, students would be required to travel to Catalonia to take their exams.
In parallel, CEO Jordi Giné confirmed that Ilerna's central offices are expected to move by the end of February to the new building on Térmens street, in the Activa Park industrial estate in Lleida. This building, the largest constructed with wood in the city, covers 6,000 m2 and involved an investment exceeding 5 million euros.
Furthermore, the company has been awarded the concession for the former Infanteria de Gardeny barracks (H4 building) in Lleida. The intention is to convert it into a Vocational Training center for trades facing labor shortages, such as automotive, electricity, and welding. The adaptation works are expected to begin after Easter.
