The Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism of the University of La Laguna hosted today, May 16, the opening of the ninth edition of the Advanced University Course in Commercial Business Management, a benchmark program for the professionalization of the retail sector in the Canary Islands.
The event was attended by the Director General of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands, David Mille Pomposo; the Director of the University Extension Secretariat of the University of La Laguna, Abel López Díez; the Acting Dean of the Faculty, José A. García Rojas; and the Director of Employability of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Francisco Javier Gutiérrez Pérez.
During the inauguration, the acting dean, José A. García Rojas, emphasized the importance of this program and recalled that commerce is part of the DNA of Canarian society and that initiatives like this reinforce its essential role in the archipelago's economy.
For his part, Abel López Díez praised the program as “one of the best examples of the spirit of university outreach,” as it connects the academic world with the business sector and extends its impact beyond the university. “It helps us internalize new paradigms for fairer, more sustainable, and more socially responsible trade,” he added.
Francisco Gutiérrez emphasized that this course is part of the ongoing training and employability strategies, and linked it to the modernization of higher education through university-specific degrees, extension courses, and micro-credentials. “Its continuity for nine years is proof of the model's success,” he noted.
The Director General of Trade and Consumer Affairs, David Mille, addressed the students, encouraging them to be part of a new ecosystem of professionals capable of facing the challenges of today's retail landscape. He emphasized that "the demands of today's consumers require a generation that is prepared, committed, and skilled to respond to these challenges," and affirmed that this course is achieving its objective thanks to the involvement of major retail operators. "This is the right vehicle for carrying out this type of training," he concluded.
A space for dialogue with the sector
During the event, a panel discussion was held with representatives from organizations and companies linked to the commercial sector in the Canary Islands, such as the Federation of Urban Areas of the Canary Islands (FAUCA), Archigestión SA, the Martiánez Shopping Center, and Mercalaspalmas. Key topics addressed included the evolution of commerce, digital transformation, the most in-demand profiles, sustainability, and artificial intelligence applied to the sector.
Former students of the program also participated, sharing their experiences in the course and how it has influenced their job placement. Raquel Marrero, currently assistant manager at the Martiánez Shopping Center, recounted how her internship at Archigestión allowed her to directly apply the knowledge she acquired. “I learned a lot, and if you know how to take advantage of it, real job opportunities arise,” she stated.
From a business perspective, Francisco Suárez, manager of Archigestión, emphasized that “knowledge is fundamental, but attitude is what multiplies.” He highlighted the observational skills and proactivity of his students, citing Raquel as an example: “She saw a need, solved it, and shone.”.
Telma Acevedo, a graduate of the seventh edition and currently at FAUCA, explained how a simple LinkedIn post opened doors for her in the industry. “Developing a project in this course forces you to learn new work methods, from marketing to data analysis,” she said.
Abbas Moujir, president of FAUCA, praised the course as an essential way to train future managers of local businesses. “Small businesses are what develop Canarian entrepreneurs, and attitude continues to be the differentiating factor,” he noted.
Miriam Marrero, financial director of Mercalaspalmas, highlighted that her company has directly witnessed the program's effectiveness and praised the specialization and knowledge the students bring. "We have former students from the first course who are now part of our team," she added.
Finally, Cristina Carnicer, from the La Palma Business Federation (Fedepalma), emphasized the need to continue attracting young talent to the local retail sector. “This course was a turning point for me, and it remains the most rewarding: working and dedicating myself to local commerce,” she stated.
Comprehensive and employment-oriented training
With 40 places available, 20 per province, this training is aimed at people with a university degree, higher-level Vocational Training or Level 3 Professional Certificates, as well as professionals with at least four years of accredited experience in the sector who wish to improve their skills in commercial management.
The program will run for five months and combines a theoretical and practical phase with online sessions, in-person meetings, and company visits, covering topics such as the design and management of retail spaces, innovation in retail, and digital transformation. The teaching staff comprises university professors and active professionals who provide a practical and up-to-date perspective on the sector.
In a second phase, 20 participants will be selected to carry out unpaid non-work placements in collaborating companies, facilitating their professional integration into a real work environment.
This initiative is promoted by the General Directorate of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the Government of the Canary Islands, in collaboration with the University of La Laguna and its General Foundation, the University Foundation of Las Palmas and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
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