Companies in the field to bring young people into the world of textiles

The production and market slowdown that is affecting the fashion sector is not stopping the orientation and training programme launched seven years ago by Confindustria Toscana Nord, aimed at bringing middle and high school students in the provinces of Prato, Pistoia and Lucca closer to the world of textiles, clothing and footwear, encouraging them to choose a course of study that is 'close' to the local economy. As the name of the initiative indicates - 'My future is in fashion' - the project looks far into the future, to the next five to ten years, when thousands of workers in these three sectors will retire in this area of ancient industrialisation of central Tuscany: in the Prato textile district alone, employees over 55 today make up 27% of the total, that is, almost five thousand (exactly 4,860 out of about 18 thousand).

'Training cannot be conditioned by the complex contingent phase,' explain the industrialists, 'also because we are sowing today in order to reap in several years' time: in fact, our programme is aimed at high school students, but also at middle school boys, who may be going to work in ten years' time. If thirty years ago in Prato it was difficult to find a family that did not have a relative or friend working in the textile sector, today things have changed. And so the aim is to introduce young people, whether born here or arrived from outside, to the industry that has made the history of the area, through guided visits to textile companies in Prato and shoe factories in the Valdinievole, orientation meetings with experts, the creation of a t-shirt collection, and competitions. The activities will start on 16 October.

'Companies are looking for qualified workers, people who can bring new skills and cultures,' explains Maurizio Sarti, delegate for training and orientation of the Sistema Moda section of Confindustria Toscana Nord, 'and in these dynamics young people are fundamental. The data on the demographics of workers clearly show that the generational transition is already underway and is destined to grow, given the high age of the workforce. The opportunities are there to work well, in pleasant environments and with the protections of national sector contracts'.

In the previous seven editions of the programme, six thousand students were involved (including a thousand last year), from seven middle schools and 13 high schools in the area, mainly technical and vocational schools and art high schools. About fifty companies welcomed the students, provided material for their experiments or took part in the meetings. Institutions such as the Textile Museum were also involved, as well as the Ptp-Moda network led by the Buzzi technical institute in Prato and comprising high schools, Its Mita, companies and training agencies operating in the fashion world.

The initial idea, refined over all these years, is that it is necessary to 'update' the image of the fashion districts and the factories that animate them, in order to help young people discover new processes and technologies, sustainability and welfare strategies, creativity and style that characterise not only the profession of fashion designer but also that of fashion technician, a profile that today requires very different skills from the past. The resilience of industrial districts is (also) played out on this terrain.