Héctor Alonso-Misol Gerlache: "In the last ten years, vocational education and training has changed radically.

He has worked for large companies, has promoted his own business project and, in recent years, has poured all that knowledge into academia. In this interview, he reflects on the role of vocational training in an increasingly demanding labour market and what students interested in disciplines such as application development or computer systems administration can expect.

• Héctor, you have more than two decades of experience in the technology sector. What personal learning or work philosophy has your time at companies such as Accenture or Grupo Santander left you with that you still apply in your day-to-day work?

I have been lucky enough to be able to participate in all kinds of projects, from my beginnings as a programmer, to strategic software management, database administration, or project planning (PMO). In addition, I have walked the path of entrepreneurship, which is as hard as it is exciting.

In so many years, you learn a lot, from many different people and situations. I think it is important to stress the importance of teams. We have to realise that one person alone is never capable of changing anything. Behind the great successes, there is always a committed team. Behind the failures, it is possible to find great individualities.

Each of us must always give the best of ourselves. Our actions, however small, define us and bear our signature. By continuously striving for excellence, we have a greater chance of success in our projects.

• As an expert in technology and knowledgeable about the educational ecosystem, how would you assess the evolution of Vocational Training in Spain over the last ten years?

The change has been radical. Today there are no companies that are not technological, and we cannot forget that Vocational Training is closely linked to the world of work.

The evolution of technology is much faster than we think. Technologies that are present in our daily conversations such as cybersecurity or artificial intelligence, 10 years ago did not have the level of development and systemic impact that they have today.

This makes Vocational Training one of the most interesting academic modalities for several reasons: its capacity to adapt to the demand of the labour market, the professional immersion it provides through internships and its immediacy.

If we analyse the data of the labour context in our country, such as the number of unemployed, the problems in finding qualified profiles by companies, unfilled vacancies, orientation of job offers or the employability rate by degree, it is easy to discover that the offer of Vocational Training covers the existing gap between the labour demand and the academic offer. Today, studying Vocational Education and Training is the decision made by thousands of students.

• One of the main objectives of UDIT's Vocational Training Centre is to promote talent in key areas such as application development, cybersecurity or network management. What are the technological skills most in demand by companies today and how do UDIT's vocational training courses help students to acquire them effectively? 

The speed at which technology is advancing is incredible and the standards, technologies, tools and methodologies of 15 years ago are now obsolete. In the technology sectors, the labour market demands basic skills, such as software development, data analysis or knowledge of cloud environments, combined with specific needs, such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence or mastering video game engines. This presents a challenge for the centres, which have to continually adapt their content to the working reality that their students are going to face.

At UDIT FPS we respect the student by putting them at the centre of our project and training them in these technologies, bringing the company closer to the classroom every day, so that their experience is enriching, from the perspective that we work for and with their employability. We do this from day one, with project-based methodologies and offering an ecosystem that simulates the business environment.

• In a sector as competitive as the technology sector, where technical skills are essential, how important are soft skills today and how do they influence employability?

Talking about soft skills is a basic element that cannot be ignored. Everyone understands that Vocational Training trains you in the technical skills associated with the employability of the degree, but integral projects are those that combine training in soft skills with these technical skills. Thus, at UDIT FPS we combine these elements by proposing to all our students the work project above the academic project, providing them with a complete professional development.

We are under pressure to train students who, in two years, must have the knowledge, skills and competences necessary for a company to offer them an employment contract. And there is no doubt that the labour market demands different skills from its employees, such as the ability to communicate, flexibility, resilience, initiative, adaptation, creativity and leadership. Without these skills, a professional cannot progress, as we live in a fast-changing world.

• Artificial intelligence is redefining many professional profiles, including that of the programmer. How is AI impacting this profile and what evolution do you expect for this figure in the coming years? 

It is clear that the use of Artificial Intelligence is changing current job profiles. You only have to look at all the positions that are being created as a result of the extensive use of this technology to understand that it is systemic. No industry and no company can ignore this reality.

From a software developer's perspective, I believe that AI is becoming an indispensable aid. Good professionals are those who are able to use AI to improve and optimise their work, considering that, in reality, the jobs that are at risk are those where resistance to the use of AI is greatest.

The person who knows how to use and integrate AI in their profession will take the job away from the person who does not. Knowledge of the personal and professional use of these technologies can make the difference.

• What advice would you give to a student who is considering starting a Vocational Training cycle in technology, but is still hesitating between specialisations such as multiplatform application development, web development or systems administration?

Of course, a meeting with the academic team is the ideal way to be able to advise students and their families on the most suitable pathways. There are a multitude of possibilities and the technological environment moves very fast.

Generally speaking, DAM (Development of Multi-platform Applications) and DAW (Development of Web Applications) are aimed at people who are attracted to the world of programming and software development, while ASIR (Administration of Networked Computer Systems) is a degree oriented towards systems administration, configuration and optimisation of networks, control and management of communications and infrastructures. They are very different worlds.

Deciding between DAM and DAW is not always easy and preconceived ideas can be misleading. DAM is the broadest and most generic degree, the one that opens all doors, with a very powerful back-end and middle profile, accompanied by knowledge of web, apps and interface design.

DAW, on the other hand, is more oriented towards front-end specialisation, with a focus on the control of corporate portals and the design and development of professional websites. These two degrees have the advantage that, in three years, you can obtain both, thus developing a very powerful full-stack profile. These three degrees, unlike other Vocational Training degrees, have a huge range of possibilities and job opportunities.

• And to close with a more personal touch... Tell us, what is your most "geeky" side related to technology? Is there any gadget, video game, series or technological hobby that you are particularly passionate about? 

This question is more complicated. I'm passionate about programming, and I still find time to program everything from small applications to web pages.

Right now I'm trying to understand the differences between Flask and Django with Python, to see how to integrate AI algorithms into the web... and I admit that years ago a student told me to try the game League of Legends, to which I dedicate some time on weekends from time to time. It's a disaster, because I suck at it and I don't get past the lowest level.