(ANS – Catania) – Between 5 and  7 September the XXIVth “European Seminar,” was held – a meeting for European formation promoted by the Salesian Sisters of CIOFS-FP, Italian Centre for Feminine Works – Professional Formation.

The three days were held in Catania, in the heart of Sicily where the young people find it more and more difficult to enter the world of work. It is here that the effort of CIOFS-FP for professional formation and sending young people to work has greater importance than in the rest of the country.

This year, the theme was ‘Apprenticeship in the System of Instruction and Professional Formation (the FP) and in Occupational Insertion’. Given the drop in apprenticeship contracts in Italy for the 2009-2010 biennial, CIOFS dedicated this seminar to the theme of apprenticeship, a field that must be re-visited and empowered by the organizers of the seminar.

In order to analyze the availability of firms according to the actual norms regarding apprenticeship, CIOFS-FP, in collaboration with Censis, completed an exploratory survey, submitting a questionnaire on the theme of apprenticeship to over 200 Italian businesses that collaborate with professional formation. The data from the study was presented during the European Seminar on Thursday, September 6.

Among those taking part in the Seminar were Elsa Fornero, the Minister for Work, who spoke on the final day by videoconference, Joseph Roma, President of the Centre of Studies for Social Investments (Censis), and the Secretary of the Italian Trades Union Workers’ Federation (Cisl) George Santini, as well as  numerous other representatives of political and civil institutions.

During the Seminar, Italy as well as Europe was  discussed. Sr. Lauretta Valente, President of CIOFS-FP, stated, “Our initiative was born twenty-four years ago, precisely at the moment when the European competency on the strategy and common vision for instruction was established. We continue to carry on this European approach because it is a precious instrument for studying real needs, for evaluating various systems, and for harmonizing the application of Italian law with those who excel in this sector.” In addition to various Italian Regions, taking part in the European Seminar were representatives from Denmark, Austria and France.

Published 10/09/2012