The Official College of Commercial Agents (COAC) will mark its centenary on 2 December, as part of a partnership with the La Rioja government. On 18 September, Luis Pérez Echeguren, the manager of ADER (the Development Agency of La Rioja), and Mariola Bravo, the president of COAC La Rioja, announced the activities included in the new agreement for 2026.
This agreement not only celebrates the centenary but also encompasses various training initiatives aimed at promoting the role of commercial agents. Pérez Echeguren highlighted the importance of commercial agents, most of whom are self-employed, stating that they are the driving force behind sales for companies and serve as gateways to new national and international markets. He explained that they act as intermediaries between manufacturers and wholesalers or retailers, selling goods and services on behalf of their clients to the broader public.
The agreement, which falls under the Strategic Grant Plan 2025-2027 of ADER and is funded with €30,000, extends the scholarship programme currently available on their website for university and vocational training students in La Rioja. This year, in collaboration with the University of La Rioja, all training courses will be consolidated into a university micro-credential, which will be accredited in 2025 by the General Council of Commercial Agents of Spain as a course for admission to the college.
Scholarship recipients, who must apply through their respective educational institutions, will benefit from one year of free membership and registration with COAC La Rioja, including access to a preparatory course and all services associated with membership during that year. Pérez Echeguren noted that this initiative aims to integrate beneficiaries into the workings of the profession, facilitating their entry into the field and establishing a foundation for generational continuity.
Bravo emphasised the collaborative spirit of this agreement, aiming to transform the college space into a dynamic coworking environment for both members and non-members. She expressed concern over the generational transition within the profession, underscoring the importance of training and real-world immersion in the job market. To professionalise the sector, they have developed a university micro-credential in partnership with the University of La Rioja as an access course.
The COAC was founded on 2 December 1926, and the majority of its members are self-employed, with an active registry of 110 members from across La Rioja. It has been part of the General Council of Colleges of Commercial Agents of Spain since its inception, alongside 65 other commercial agent colleges throughout the country.
