(ANS - Turin) - Historically Piedmont has a reputation for  excellence in the field of vocational training, and not just because it is the land of Don Bosco, the initiator of professional schools, and his Salesians. A conference on "Professional Training for a good job" was  held in Turin last Friday, 5 December. It testified to the quality of Vocational Training Centres managed by private social institutions in the region.

The conference had among its sponsors the "National Centre for Salesian Works - Formation Professional Updating" (CNOS-FAP) of Piedmont. It was a time for discussion and reflection on government and regional policies on Education and Vocational Training  managed by the affiliated organizations. The results are very positive, from many points of view.

For example, while vocational schools have the biggest percentage of failure and drop-out (37% of those who begin), the Vocational Training Centres managed by private social institutions have a drop-out rate of just 13%.

Thorough investigations have also indicated an “excellent”  level of satisfaction among all involved in vocational training - students, families, educators and companies.  This compares well with an overall average of "fair". The unemployment rate fifteen months after graduation is 28.8% (according to the latest available data, 2012-2013). This figure is not to be scoffed at, given the economic crisis and the high rate of unemployment especially among young people in Italy. There are also some difficulties due to the innovation made in the system.

We should not forget the potential of the sector. Various surveys indicate tens of thousands of job vacancies (from 35,000 to 120,000 nationwide, according to different estimates) almost all in the professional area - hairdressers , electricians, plumbers, mechanics, waiters, bartenders, etc.

"The conference was very well attended by the public. Some young people who graduated last June reported that they are now working, most of them with the companies where they did their internship and project work. Their employers expressed a positive opinion of the experience and said they were impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the stiudents," said Bro. Lucio Reghellin, SDB, Director of CNOS-FAP Piedmont.

Published 12/12/2014