Calderone: 'More training to raise the quality of employment'

Our change of pace is generating tangible results, also at the level of labour culture. We have created the conditions to improve the supply-demand matching with the SIISL platform, in whose development all qualified labour market actors participate. We have also opened up the direct placement of vacancies by companies, and the possibility of access for job seekers. If employment increases so consistently, and on a permanent basis, it is not by chance, it is the result of conscious management.

The problem of skills that cannot be found is strongly felt by companies and will be the focus of the G7 Labour Ministerial in September. How can this mismatch be overcome?

The issue is central and concerns all G7 countries, as well as the impact of AI and demographic changes on employment. The strategy to align demand and supply of skills passes through coordinated initiatives: the strengthening of guidance, the promotion of technical institutes such as ITS, and degree courses that offer the greatest job opportunities. Together with the regions, we are training more than 600,000 unemployed people with the GOL programme for faster reintegration into work. We have defined the national system for the certification of all training activities, including company training. Everything is connected. How we manage the impact of AI is also crucial. The Borgo Egnazia summit outlined an action plan that must be put into practice, including the creation at the Ministry of Labour of an observatory to identify the professional skills we will need in the next five to ten years.

June's Istat data shows a labour market characterised by growth in the employed and unemployed along with a decline in the inactive. What help will you give to those who have decided to get back into the game?

The drop in inactives shows renewed confidence in the recovery of the labour market. The new edition of the New Skills Fund will target not only the employed, but also the unemployed whom the company intends to train for employment. We then approved with Law 95 a fund to support the start-up of self-employment, professional and small business initiatives for the under-35s, both through training and mentoring and with start-up contributions, mostly non-repayable. We are reviewing the GOL programme with the regions to target those who are most in difficulty and those expelled by sector crises.

A good knowledge of the phenomenon emerges, with a high level of support for the counteracting actions you have taken. What other measures will you put in place?

It is a phenomenon that has always existed and we are strongly counteracting it. The inspections increase awareness of the seriousness of irregular work. In summer, with seasonal work, we are intensifying inspections, especially in the most exposed sectors. And recruitment increases accordingly. Our action is systematic, made possible by the decision to strengthen inspection services and cooperation with the police.