Elis: Accenture’s CEO, Teodoro Lio, takes the helm of the consortium
A study carried out in collaboration with Bocconi University on the over-50s was presented at the CEO meeting: flexibility is the most sought-after benefit, and one day of remote working is worth an average of 180 euros
Key points
Teodoro Lio, CEO of Accenture Italia, has taken the helm of the Elis consortium, taking over from the outgoing chair, Silvia Maria Rovere (Chair of Poste Italiane) during the CEO meeting held in Rome, which brought together top managers from large, medium and small enterprises, as well as representatives from organisations, institutions and universities that form part of the consortium, established to promote the growth of individuals, organisations and local areas through integrated activities in career guidance, training and innovation. During the meeting, a number of topics were discussed, including young people and artificial intelligence, and workers over 50, on which data from a study carried out by Bocconi University was presented by the rector, Francesco Billari.
Focus on young people and artificial intelligence
The new president, Teodoro Lio, explained that, following the recent focus on the over-50s, the next step will be to centre attention on young people and artificial intelligence through a new project, ‘TrAIettoria’, which aims to highlight their journey of growth in the age of artificial intelligence. “AI is transforming not only the skills required by businesses, but also the way in which young people learn and build their own experience.” “I don’t believe the world of work will need fewer young people,” emphasised Lio, “but it will need young people who are better prepared – capable not only of using the tools but also of developing autonomy, critical thinking and professionalism. That is why we will work with businesses, the education system and institutions to rethink training pathways and entry into the labour market. Investing in young people and supporting them as they build their own future is a shared responsibility, which is also fundamental to our country’s growth and competitiveness.”
Valuing people throughout their working lives
In her end-of-term report, outgoing president Silvia Maria Rovere highlighted that GenerAzione Talento had addressed the need to ‘nurture people throughout their careers, against a backdrop of increasing longevity and profound demographic changes’. The experience of older workers represents a strategic asset, to be developed through continuous training, intergenerational exchange and dialogue between businesses and institutions. By combining research and experimentation, GenerAzione Talento has provided concrete insights to guide labour policies and organisational decisions, bringing together people’s wellbeing, the transfer of skills and innovation. Investing in talent at every stage of one’s working life means supporting business growth and contributing to the competitiveness of the national economy.”
The expectations of the over-50s
As part of the “GenerAzione Talento” project, this research was carried out in collaboration with Bocconi University in Milan to investigate the working conditions and aspirations of the 50–64 age group which, according to ISTAT data, comprises 9.6 million people and thus represents the largest proportion of the workforce. The survey, presented by Bocconi’s rector, Francesco Billari, combined administrative data on 206,000 employees from 27 companies with responses to a questionnaire completed by 9,511 workers. More than eight in ten respondents (80.7 per cent) said they felt, on average, 11.2 years younger than their actual age, and one in two believes they are still at an intermediate stage in their career. The sense of engagement at work scored 4.68 out of 5. The indicator for perceived support and recognition, however, is lower, standing at 3.16 out of 5. Among the most strongly felt needs is flexibility in working hours and locations. For respondents, one day of remote working is equivalent to 180 euros per month in additional pay.
The working group on wellbeing and pension culture
In addition to the survey, a pilot scheme was also launched, offering employees aged over 55 at companies participating in the “GenerAzione Talento” programme sessions focusing on aspects such as motivation, new technologies, mental and physical wellbeing, and pension awareness: this led to the establishment of a working group between INPS and the participating companies, tasked with developing proposals for action to be brought to the attention of the legislature. According to Elis’s Chief Executive, Pietro Cum, ‘research, trials within companies and dialogue with the institutions show that, through GenerAzione Talento, we are transforming one of the country’s main demographic challenges into an opportunity for development’.
