In a context of an unprecedented crisis of financial resources and productive capacity, a tightening of the US blockade, and pressing internal difficulties, Cuba intends to update its economic model. In this sense, the training of highly qualified technicians is of crucial importance in the country. However, vocational training models are not being as effective as required. Accordingly, this article aims to show an analysis of initial vocational training in Cuba, as well as the need to update it based on the transfer of experiences from other training models in order to respond more effectively to the current demands of the economic model and sustainable development. The research is developed by combining an exploratory, descriptive and explanatory study, using the single case study method embedded in two contexts, which facilitates the exploration of the first Cuban experience in the design of a Higher Technician competence-based Higher Technitian in Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency; it describes the behaviour of the organisations involved and achieves an analytical generalisation, based on the explanation compared with the theories. The experience empirically proves the possibilities of transferring the key principles of dual vocational training to the reality of Cuban short-cycle higher education.