Alessia RomitoISFOL – Institute for the development of vocational training

APPRENTICESHIPS

IN ITALY

Workshop on "Work based Learning and SMEs"Brussels, 5 March 2013

Main aspects ofItalian Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a labour and training contract with a specific supporting legislation

Apprentices = paid workers, who have to attend specific vocational courses in order to acquire certifications or diplomas and university degrees

Traditionally, apprenticeship is not linked to the education system

The apprenticeship system was reformed by the "Consolidated Apprenticeship Act", approved on October 25th 2011 and entered into force on April 25th 2012. The new Law amends and reorganizes the previous legislation on apprenticeship and in particular introduces some new features in the three types of contract

Apprenticeship TypologiesTypes Target groups Pourpose

Apprenticeship for the qualification and the professional diploma

15-25 years old

to acquire a vocational qualification diploma recognized at national level

Professional apprenticeship18-29 years old

to obtain a labour market qualification (recognized by collective agreement and enterprises)

Apprenticeship for higher education and research

18-29 years old

to acquire a diploma released by the education system, at secondary or tertiary level, or a doctorate degree.

Some data

504.558

Nr. of apprentices in 2011 (old apprenticeship system)

Recruitment forecast of apprentices first quarter of 2013 (private sector only)

6,4% of the total recruitments in all enterprises

7,6% of the total recruitments in SMEs

Up to 18 years old

19-29 aged

SMEs

Size-classesNr of

EnterprisesNr of

Employees

Micro 1-9 95,3% 48,0%

Small 10-49 4,1% 19,6%

99,4% 67,6%

Medium 50-249 0,5% 12,0%

Large > 249 0,1% 20,4%

1° level: 6.643 (1,3%)2° level: 496.920 (98,5%)3° level: 995 (0,2%)

SteakholdersState level

• national framework, fixing rights and duties of the enterprises and apprentices

• main features of the apprenticeship contract

Regions/Autonomous Province • local regulation, mainly related to the training

aim of the contract• length of the vocational training (key skills)• supply of vocational training courses

Social Partners (Collective Bargaining)• length of the apprenticeship contract • length and contents of the professional vocational

training • provision of on the job training• further vocational training

Enterprises: role and benefitsRole Benefits

The enterprise is responsible for the on and off the job training

draw up the training plan;

ensure the apprentice training, as provided in the training plan;

ensure the presence of a company tutor;

ensure the company tutor’s training

lower wage for apprentice

reductions in welfare and social security contributions for the entire length of apprenticeship contract – (No contribution for micro enterprises)

technical and operative support, offered by Bilateral Bodies, for:

• drawing up training plans

• Accomplishing on the job vocational training

Voucher for accomplishing vocational training, provided by special national programs or local Authorities.

Focus on Higher Apprenticeship

This kind of apprenticeship contract can be offered to young people between the ages of 18 and 29 in all sectors of production

The Regions establish the regulation and lenght of the training programmes, through an agreement with trade unions, business organizations, universities and other higher education institutions

It is aimed to obtain a qualification: upper secondary diploma, university first degree or higher degree, doctorate degree

It is a new form of apprenticeship and it is spreading very slowly.

Main critical points• Difficulites to link University and enterprices• Governance• Financial resources for extra work needed to university to plan

and organize individual training programmes for apprentices

Thanks for your attention

For more information:

www.nuovoapprendistato.gov.it (Info in English)

a.romito@isfol.it