Higher education,
research,
international mobility
Polytechnic
Network
Employment
and skills
Education and
Vocational
Training
Special plan
for youth
employment,
continuity of
employment,
promotion of
entrepreneurship
Education Research
Emilia-Romagna
Learning is growing
For any further information, please contact:
Emilia-Romagna Region
Ministry for Education, vocational training,
university and research, employment
Viale Aldo Moro 38 - 40127 Bologna (Italy)
phone: +39 051 5274081 - fax: +39 051 5273578
e-mail: [email protected]
E-R Formazione e lavoro
http://formazionelavoro.regione.emilia-romagna.it
Learning
is growing
Education and
Research for
the country’s
development
by Patrizio Bianchi
Minister for Education, vocational
training, university and research,
employment, Emilia-Romagna Region
Education economics and
economic and social dynamics
Over the past few years a special attention
has been paid to education economics, i.e.
studies on the impact that investment in
human capital and educational facilities has
on the economic and social system and
on the development of a given country or
context. Knowledge is defined by Nobel
laureate in economics Elinor Ostrom as a
key asset of the community, and today it
is considered to be a strategic element for
individuals and for the community.
To profitably invest in knowledge, supporting
growth processes based on participation
rights, it is necessary to identify the skills
that will be needed in the years to come. We
are faced with changing social dynamics and
changing expectations and needs of citizens.
Change concerns the means that people and
businesses use to manage the complexity
of the competitive environment in which
they operate. There has been a shift away
from the rigidity of traditional organizational
structures towards flexible solutions based
on constantly evolving capabilities and skills
of individuals who interact in the network.
ER Education and Research
Emilia-Romagna
Starting from this awareness and from
an idea of knowledge as “common
good”, the Emilia-Romagna Region has
outlined a strategy for action aimed at
generating conditions in furtherance of a
closer relationship between provision of
training and human capital qualification
requirements. The policy that has been
implemented since 2010 covered the
whole area of education and research,
from the first segment under the regional
responsibility, aimed at the acquisition
of a vocational qualification, up to PhD
Schools
courses. The result is a new educational
infrastructure, established in liaison with
social partners, based on inter-institutional
cooperation and integration between training
providers and enterprises, subdivided into
four branches:
Universities
and Research
Institutes
• Education and Vocational Training (EaVT),
• Polytechnic Network,
• Higher education, research and
international mobility,
Vocational
training providers
• Employment and skills.
It has been named ER Education and
Research Emilia-Romagna to identify
this Region with a firm commitment: to
guarantee everyone the right to acquire
broad and innovative professional skills,
to grow, work and unlock one’s potential,
intelligence, creativity and talent. The
perspective is that of a new idea of
equality. A dynamic and open equality, as
a potential access to education, training and
employment. The historian and essayist,
Aldo Schiavone, has defined equality as
equal opportunities in social and spatial
mobility, in smooth access to jobs, careers
and knowledge, and in an ongoing challenge
of acquired knowledge and skills.
An educational infrastructure
for an innovative area
ER Education and Research acts as a
positive externality for development, starting
from the recognition of individual rights. A
clear belief is at the base of the complex
and articulated policy – implemented and
funded with about 200 million euro each
year – namely that it is necessary to push
the whole community to be innovative,
through a systematic and systemic
action on skills, to enhance the ability to
critically evaluate and define the roles and
the expectations in a new open context
and to allow a significant broadening of
businesses that can operate and compete
globally. The Plan for young people’s
access to the labour market, continuity
of employment, support and promotion
of entrepreneurship is designed to meet
these requirements. It is an extraordinary
intervention supplementing ER Education
and Research, and in particular the fourth
segment, Employment and skills, to
fight against precarious work, and through
incentives for open-ended employment
contracts for young people up to 34 years,
to promote employment, by rewarding
enterprises that invest in their training as a
prerequisite for innovation.
Growth and sustainability
Today, as Gianni Toniolo tells in the
presentation of the Bank of Italy report
on the Italian 150 year-long economic
history, a poor education level is not only
an obstacle to the adoption of techniques
School
556
Institutions
Social partners
schools
39,940teachers
518,078pupils
Training
171
accredited
training providers
5,500
employees
Enterprises
typical of modern times, but probably also
to the understanding of other cultures and,
in general, to social as well as economic
transformation of the country. It is an
obstacle to the shaping of that intangible
social capital of trust and belonging that
facilitates the cohesion of the community.
ER Education and Research
Emilia-Romagna is the development
policy which combines new employment
and social mobility, by combating cultural,
economic and local inequalities. A
development policy based on the principle
of inclusiveness, essential to overcome
a crisis that is so long that it is itself a
manifestation of the deep transition that we
are living in the new century.
100,000
people in training each year
University
4
universities
145,000 university students
5,500
lecturers and researchers
Labour market
1,967,000 employed people
67.9%
employment rate (Italy 56.9% - UE 27 64.3%)
60.9%
Investing in your future
A fundamental contribution to the
ER Education and Research
opportunities comes from the
European Union which, through the
European Social Fund, allocates
resources to the regions to upgrade
people’s skills, to promote jobs
and the quality of work, to support
an innovative and cohesive local
development.
female employment rate
(Italy 46.5% - UE 27 58.5%)
5.3%
unemployment rate
(Italy 8.4% - UE 27 9.7%)
Education and Vocational Trai
More future
The first branch of ER Education and Research is the
Education and Vocational Training system (EaVT).
It provides students with a new training proposal that
allows them to achieve vocational qualifications in a
three-year-long course.
A three-year job-oriented education and training
Pupils
8,326 at national
Vocational Schools
3,964 at Vocational training
providers 794 of which
attending customized courses
Educational offer
364 courses at national
Vocational Schools
187 courses at Vocational
training providers
22 vocational qualifications
Education providers
71 national Vocational Schools
42 Vocational training providers
Resources
55 million euro
(European Social Fund, national
and regional funds)
2011/2012
school year
The new national law provides that the school system
(high schools, technical and vocational schools)
releases only upper secondary education diplomas
at the end of five-year-long cycles.
To provide junior high school-leavers with a
differentiated educational offer, consistent with
the needs of the regional economic-manufacturing
system, the Emilia-Romagna Region introduced by
Regional Law No 5/2011 the new EaVT - Education
and Vocational Training system: three-year- long
courses based on the cooperation of Vocational
training providers with Regional accreditation
and national Vocational Schools.
Technical and vocational skills
and basic education
The three-year-long EaVT pathway is aimed at
promoting the acquisition of knowledge and technical
and vocational skills required by the labour market, as
well as literacy, numeracy, scientific, technological,
historical, social and economic skills, which are
essential to train young people to build their own future
as full-fledged citizens.
The first year of the course is intended to provide
general guidance and must be attended in national
Vocational Schools. It allows students to strengthen
their basic skills, also through customized courses, and
provides each one of them with the necessary time to
choose the most appropriate training solution to achieve
vocational qualifications over the next two years.
ining
Right to education,
improvement of schools and
training providers system
Investment in the EaVT supplements the
regional commitment and action for the right
to education and the qualification of the school
system in Emilia-Romagna. Approximately 12
million euro resources have been allocated by
the Regional Authority for scholarships (this
year 14,700 students have benefited from
them), transport services, actions aimed at
further enhancing the quality of education
and training, and at promoting the adoption
of innovative teaching methods in schools
located in mountain areas.
More opportunities, more future
The new system puts out a twofold challenge. On the
one hand, it is intended to prevent and reduce school
dropout, by creating flexible career paths, which can
re-motivate, strengthen and guide young people. On the
other hand, it enables this educational segment to play a
strategic role in the country’s economic growth.
At the end of the three-year-long course, with the
achievement of a vocational qualification, young people
are ready to access to the labour market but they can
also study further to attain higher levels of education.
The EaVT system makes it possible for them to rethink
their CVs and to decide to complete their education up to
the attainment of a higher secondary education diploma.
Otherwise they can decide to increase their working
skills through the training opportunities offered by ER
Education and Research.
Vocational training providers
Vocational
qualifications
Vocational Schools
V
Fourth year
IV
III
Three-year
courses
vocational
qualification
II
I
Secondary
schools
Higher
Technical
Institutes
National
Vocational
Schools
EaVT
Polytechnic Network
Technology to grow
Schools
Universities
and Research
Institutes
Higher
technical
degree
HTI
1.800/2.000 hrs
Vocational
training
providers
HTET
800/1.000 hrs
Enterprises
Higher
Technical
Institutes
skills’
300/500 hrs
certification
Vocational
qualification
Higher Technical Institutes
(HTI)
7 HTI Foundations
9 two-year paths
215 students
Higher Technical Education
and Training paths (HTET)
25 paths
559 students
Higher Education paths (HE)
67 paths
996 students
Resources
9 million euro
(European Social Fund
and national funds)
2011/2012
academic year
higher
technical
specialization
Technological innovation, market globalization and
the changing demand for goods and services require
society to invest continuously in the production of
new knowledge, dissemination of technical and
scientific expertise and acquisition of specialized
skills enabling people to be integrated into a dynamic
labour market and keep on learning.
In order to meet this need, the Emilia-Romagna
Region has strengthened and extended its
higher education system, by linking it to the new
Regional Polytechnic Network. The aim of the
Polytechnic Network is to provide training and
learning opportunities based on the enhancement
of vocational, technical, scientific and
technological culture.
It is characterized by the integration of different
education providers - school system, vocational
training providers accredited by the Regional
Authority, universities, research centres - and
enterprises, all committed to working together on
the basis of their experience, expertise and excellence
in the design and implementation of activities.
The offer of the Polytechnic Network - designed by
the Emilia-Romagna Region and financed through
the European Social Fund, national and regional
resources - consists of three types of courses.
Courses organized by Higher
Technical Institutes (HTI)
HTI are new technology schools
that organize two-year courses, 9
throughout the whole region, to
train top technicians who
can be integrated into the
strategic sectors of the
economic manufacturing
system, providing
HTI network in
Emilia-Romagna
enterprises with highly specialized skills and
innovative capacities.
HTI courses are alternative to university, although
closely connected to it, provide for mandatory
work experiences, both in Italy and abroad, and
have a significant number of teachers coming
from the business world.
With the establishment of an Association of
Foundations, the Region intends
to strengthen the local network of
Higher Technical Institutes (HTI), by
promoting openness to the national
and European dimension.
Bologna
Top technician for automation
and mechatronic systems
Ferrara
Top technician for architectonic
renovation of building site
Forlì-Cesena
Top technician for multimedia
graphics and communication
systems
Higher Technical Education
and Training paths (HTET)
Modena
Top technician for materials
for design and mechanical
production
HTET paths train highly specialized
technicians capable of managing and
supervising corporate organizational
and manufacturing processes,
also connected to technological
innovations and market internationalization.
Parma
Top technician responsible
for agricultural, agro-food
and agro-industrial production
and processing
Higher Education paths (HE)
Piacenza
Top technician for info-mobility
and logistics infrastructure
Higher Education paths are addressed to
employed or unemployed young and adult
people who wish to enter the labour market
or to attain further qualifications to effectively
perform occupational roles as engineers and
project managers in the production
and business management areas.
Polytechnic
Network
Ravenna
Top technician for energy
supply and for construction
of power plants
HTI
HTET
HE
V
Fourth year
IV
III
Three-year
courses
vocational
qualification
II
I
Secondary
schools
Higher
Technical
Institutes
National
Vocational
Schools
EaVT
Reggio Emilia
Top technician for innovation
in processes and products and
specialized in mechatronics
Rimini
Top technician for the
development of cultural assets,
local products and tourism
Higher education, research, in
Knowledge networks
Vocational training
providers
Research
grants
Universities and
Research Institutes
Training
vouchers
The third segment of ER Education and Research
includes measures to build shared knowledge
networks between enterprises, universities
and research institutions. ER offers the most
experimental and innovative opportunities and actions
to give human capital a key role for the growth of a
competitive, open and global production system.
Research grants and scholarships
Enterprises
Ph.D.
Courses
ER provides research grants, financial incentives,
customized mentoring and support services,
advanced training through the Spinner 2013
Programme, financed by European Social Fund.
Actions are aimed at supporting:
• innovative business and / or knowledge-intensive
ideas,
• industrial research, experimental development,
technology transfer,
• organizational, managerial and financial innovation,
• vocational reskilling plans for highly qualified
human resources,
• experiences abroad in universities and research
institutes.
Spinner 2013
In Emilia-Romagna there are 10
Spinner Points, active at universities
and regional research centres,
that give information about Spinner
2013 Programme and serve as
reference points for students wishing
to initiate highly innovative and
entrepreneurial projects and careers.
www.spinner.it
nternational mobility
Ph.D. courses
To support the regional research system and to
develop human resources, the Regional Authority
funds scholarships on strategic issues for
enterprises and for the regional economic system.
All the regional universities work together on
individual projects, according to an interdisciplinary
approach, in close co-operation with enterprises. A
community of researchers dedicated to the creation
and transfer of the knowledge necessary for
innovation and development of the local community
towards a new economic and social welfare.
Training vouchers for higher education
Training vouchers are grants funded by
the Regional Authority to allow access to
employed or unemployed people to university
masters, advanced training courses and
specialization courses. The aim is to promote
access to lifelong learning providing people
with continuous training and retraining
opportunities.
Activities
Altaformazioneinrete.it
This is the interregional
catalogue of courses,
accessible through
training vouchers.
Scholarship for PhD
Higher education
training vouchers
Higher education,
research and
international mobility
Polytechnic
Network
HTI
HTET
HE
V
Fourth year
IV
III
Three-year
courses
vocational
qualification
II
I
Secondary
schools
Higher
Technical
Institutes
42 Scholarships for PhD
216 Higher education
training vouchers
Resources
8 million euro
(European Social Fund)
Research grant
Universities
156 Research grants
National
Vocational
Schools
EaVT
Employment and skills
New skills for new jobs
Vocational training
Providers
PIL
Universities and
Research Institutes
Traineeship
ER Education and Research offers opportunities
targeting the hiring and retention of qualified people in the
labour market. The fourth branch of ER, which completes the
regional design, includes different active policies to support
people moving into jobs, upgrade workers’ skills and promote
organizational and manufacturing innovation of businesses,
financed by European, national and regional resources.
Apprenticeship
Enterprises
Apprenticeship
Continuous
Education
Emilia-Romagna Region has chosen to promote this contract,
that allows young people to access the labour market.
Therefore the Region invests in training and offers incentives
to enterprises that hire apprentices. This makes it easier for
companies hiring young apprentices and investing in training
as a key feature to enhance the employment relationship.
There are three apprenticeship types: apprenticeship for
the achievement of a diploma or a vocational qualification,
professionalizing apprenticeship and higher education and
research apprenticeship.
The last one allows young people to work in a company and to
achieve a masters’ degree or a PhD. With a two-fold advantage:
supporting young people in qualification pathways, including
the highest academic courses, and providing small and medium
enterprises with strategic skills in furtherance of innovation.
Training pathways for transitions
These pathways allow the provision of an in-companybased training and guidance experience useful for
acquiring certifiable skills and shortening the time of entry
into the labour market.
Job placement services
The Emilia-Romagna Region offers a job
service network, in part also accessible
on-line, including information, guidance,
counselling, labour demand and supply
matching services.
Hubs of this network are 40 Provincial
Employment Centres, whose desks
are located throughout the regional
territory, offering their services to
citizens and enterprises.
Activities
Apprenticeship
35,612 trainees
in training (2011)
Training for employment integration
and re-employment
Training pathways for
transitions
3,307 people in training
This kind of training is programmed by the
Provincial Authorities and it is addressed to adults
who are unemployed or at risk of exclusion from
the labour market and social marginalization.
Pathways are designed by training providers in
close connection with the local business system
and they include internships.
Training for employment
integration and
re-employment
11,046 people in training
Training for innovation of
production and organization
and for safety at work
31,920 people in training
Training for innovation of production and
organization and for safety at work
Day nursery grants
9,900 nursery grants
948 payee families
Orienter
Training courses are carried out to increase the skills
of workers, reinforce occupational safety and promote
enterprises innovation.
It is the database of
training courses funded
by the Regional and
Provincial Authorities
http://orienter.regione.
emilia-romagna.it
Day nursery grants
Day nursery grants are provided to families to facilitate
the access of babies to nursery schools and to support
family/work balance. It is an effective way to combat
discrimination especially against working mothers.
Resources
47 million euro
(European Social Fund,
national and regional funds)
Traineeship
Scholarship for PhD
Universities
Training pathways for transitions
Polytechnic
Network
HTI
V
HTET
HE
Professionalizing
apprenticeship
Training pathways for transitions
Fourth year
IV
III
Three-year
courses
vocational
qualification
II
I
Secondary
schools
Higher
Technical
Institutes
National
Vocational
Schools
EaVT
Apprenticeship for the
achievement of
a diploma or a
vocational qualification
Labour market
Higher education
and research
apprenticeship
Higher education,
research and
international mobility
Job placement services
Training pathways for transitions
Higher education
training vouchers
Actions in support of quality of work and business innovation
Research grant
Special plan for youth employmen
promotion of entrepreneurship
In 2012, the Emilia-Romagna Region approved a special plan for
the access of young people to the labour market, continuity
of employment, support and promotion of entrepreneurship, in
liaison with the whole ER and, in particular, with the fourth segment on Employment and skills.
The idea behind this action, funded by European, national and
regional resources, amounting to € 46 million, is to enhance youth
skills to combat unemployment and precarious work, to support
the creation of new businesses, rewarding enterprises investing
in young people and their education.
THE PLAN ENVISAGES FOUR LINES OF ACTION:
20 M
euro
20 M
euro
Recruitment and retention incentives
Enterprises hiring young people up to 34 years with open-ended
labour contracts are entitled to receive an incentive of up to
12,000 euro. In particular, those companies that have not recently laid off any employees and those hiring young women on a
permanent basis are rewarded.
Apprenticeship training actions
Enterprises wishing to recruit young people using this form of
contract have access to opportunities ranging from economic incentives to funding of apprentice training. Actions vary depending
on the type of contract chosen: apprenticeship for the achievement of a diploma or a vocational qualification (for young people
up to 25 years without any qualifications or diploma), professionalizing apprenticeship (for youth aged 18-29) or higher education
and research apprenticeship (for young people up to 29 years in
possession of a diploma or university degree).
nt, continuity of employment,
Pre-integration training actions
They are targeted to youngsters aged between 30 and 34 years,
with the aim of promoting their integration into the labour market on a permanent basis. Young workers are provided with the
opportunity to receive training before being integrated into the
labour market. On-the-job training is mainly provided, designed
to make young workers acquire skills consistent with the actual
needs of the enterprise.
3M
euro
Young people
and employment
in Emilia-Romagna
896,308
young people between
15 and 34 years
501,000
employed young people
Actions in support of entrepreneurship
They are aimed at both young people and enterprises based in
the region. Young people aged between 18 and 34 years who
wish to become self-employed have free access to customized
training and consulting. Training programmes are financed for
enterprises who wish to enhance the entrepreneur’s or the key
employees’ skills and to provide workers with updated technical
and professional skills.
3M
euro
56.3%
employment rate
51.01%
female employment
10%
rate
unemployment rate
(Italy 15.7%)
11.8%
female unemployment rate
(Italy 17.7%)
The complexity of the labour market and the challenges
of the economic production system require new communication
skills and a high propensity to innovate and improve services
to satisfy the market needs at a local level.
This is the starting point that has led to the creation of Lavoro
per Te (Work for you), namely the new Emilia-Romagna regional
employment portal network developed in close liaison with the
Provincial Authorities and the employment centres.
The aims are to match labour supply and demand, to facilitate
the interaction of citizens and businesses with the public
administration, to facilitate access to the opportunities offered by
the Special Plan for youth employment and to other actions carried
out by the Regional and Provincial Authorities.
http://formazionelavoro.
regione.emilia-romagna.it/lavoro-per-te
tracce.com
I.P.
E-R Formazione e lavoro
http://formazionelavoro.regione.emilia-romagna.it