Its Academy in Lombardy: skills to build the future

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) – Post-diploma training as an opportunity to give direction to one’s interests and turn them into a career plan. In Lombardy, the ITS (Higher Technical Institutes) Academies offer this opportunity: highly specialised technological courses that combine theoretical training, laboratory work and work experience in companies, producing qualified professionals in strategic sectors of the economy. In effect, they are post-secondary technical higher education institutions, born out of a project aimed at innovating the traditional school model. ITSs act as a bridge between schools, training and industry, as they are able to translate technological innovation into practical skills and the demand for advanced professional expertise into real employment opportunities for young people. Furthermore, they boast a direct link with the world of work, as businesses contribute to the design of the courses and the training of students, fostering the acquisition of up-to-date skills that are directly applicable in the workplace. Teaching combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, enabling young people to tackle real-world problems, gain an understanding of professional contexts and prepare for technological and organisational changes. The courses last two years, with a total of between 1,800 and 2,000 hours. For certain specialisations, three-year programmes are also available, comprising 3,000 hours. Furthermore, the new programmes stipulate that at least 35 per cent of the standard duration of the programmes must be spent on work placements – with the option of undertaking these abroad – and that at least 50 per cent of the teaching staff must come directly from the world of work.

According to the Lombardy Region, through the Department of Education, Training and Employment headed by Simona Tironi, the ITS Academies ‘are an essential component of the education system and a strategic driver of development. Choosing these pathways means nurturing young people’s talent and supporting businesses in their search for skilled professionals capable of driving their growth. A choice that strengthens the link between training and employment and helps to bridge the gap between the skills available and those required by the labour market’. In particular, ‘choosing an ITS Academy means investing in one’s own abilities through high-quality, work-oriented training. For the Lombardy Region, promoting this choice means building the skills that underpin innovation, business competitiveness and the region’s future’. For the 2026/2027 academic year, 289 ITS programmes, proposed by 27 foundations, have been approved. This range of programmes consolidates the experience gained and opens up new opportunities for specialisation. The results confirm the model’s effectiveness: according to the 2026 Indire National Monitoring Report, in Lombardy around eight out of ten ITS graduates are in employment one year after graduation. Among those in employment, over 93 per cent are in jobs consistent with their course of study: a significant indicator of the ability to link training with career prospects.