Randstad aims to recruit 1,000 people from developing countries in 2027

Following Randstad’s placement of 412 qualified candidates in Italian companies in 2026 as part of 21 crossboarding programmes across 14 countries worldwide – which saw 726 workers take part in vocational and civicin their home countries, the multinational employment services firm is aiming for 1,000 placements in 2027. Randstad’s Crossboarding programme continues to grow: this month alone, 18 textile workers from Egypt and 20 social and healthcare workers from various South American countries are set to arrive. And by 2027, 55 programmes for the recruitment and selection of staff abroad are planned, with the aim of involving around 1,300 new talents in training activities and, indeed, placing 1,000 workers.

The project began in 2024 and has grown year on year, coming to involve workers from Albania, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and India in companies within the metalworking, construction, healthcare, catering and transport sectors in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Campania and Sicily. After all, ‘theserious structural shortage of talent in Italy today makes it difficult to fill 40 per cent of planned vacancies, a figure that rises to 50 per cent in the technical, mechanical and healthcare sectors,” says Arnaldo Carignano, Talent Director at Randstad Italia. “However, demographic trends and the growing skills mismatch point to a scenario of further deterioration in the future. To respond effectively to this need, Randstad Italia’s Crossboarding project has already enabled us to place over 400 qualified candidates from abroad who are highly motivated to relocate, to fill hard-to-fill roles across various sectors. It is a secure, compliant and effective international recruitment channel that is set to grow. Thanks to a solid network of partners, we manage the entire recruitment process, supporting Italian companies in the search for and selection of candidates, and then guiding workers through the various stages – from training to dealing with administrative formalities – to ensure truly effective integration.”

Randstad Italia specialises in personnel recruitment and selection, sourcing candidates – including technical graduates or those with vocational qualifications and relevant experience – based on companies’ requirements, provided that, following interviews, they are willing to relocate to Italia. Then, through partner organisations accredited and authorised by the Ministry of Labour in the relevant country, it provides on-site vocational, civic and language training for workers (a minimum A2 level of Italian is required for placement), right up to the issue of the relevant certificates, whilst verifying qualifications and certifications. At this stage, the initiative supports workers with the formalities involved in their relocation, such as security clearance or visas, and with their reception upon arrival in Italia. Thanks also to the collaboration with Without Borders – Randstad’s programme created to guide and support the integration of migrants – comprehensive support is provided throughout the reception process, from finalising residence permit procedures to employment under a temporary agency contract, offering practical tools for both practical integration (such as finding accommodation and opening a bank account) and cultural integration, to ensure a sustainable and mutually beneficial integration process. Randstad utilises various regulatory frameworks to facilitate the integration of workers. Among these, Article 23 of the Consolidated Law on Immigration plays a central role, allowing workers who have completed approved vocational and civic-linguistic training programmes in their countries of origin to enter the country outside the quotas set by the Immigration Quota Decrees. Randstad ensures that all procedures are carried out in accordance with the law, significantly reducing the administrative burden on companies involved in international recruitment.