The regions are calling for funding for employment, training and job centres, including for the post-PNRR period
At the meeting with the Minister for Labour, regional representatives called for the continuation of active labour market policies, ensuring that services remain effectively accessible even after the conclusion of the ‘Workers’ Employability Guarantee’ programme, which is funded with 4.4 billion from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan
Key points
To ensure the continuity of the Essential Levels of Service in the areas of active labour market policies and training, guaranteeing that citizens can effectively access these services even after the conclusion of the programme to ensure workers’ employability, which is funded with 4.4 billion from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
To date, the GOL programme has supported over 4.3 million people, combining employment and training initiatives, thereby ushering in a new model of cooperation between the national and regional levels; however, with the conclusion of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the regions have met with the Minister for Labour, Marina Calderone, to seek assurances regarding funding for this new phase.
The call for clarity on the new programming of European funds for 2028–2034
Another topic discussed at the meeting was vocational education and training (VET), on which the Regions are seeking clarity regarding the future in terms of resources and the planning framework, by utilising national resources and strengthening those drawn from the European Social Fund. These initiatives represent a key tool in tackling early school leaving and the mismatch between the skills on offer and those sought by businesses, helping to guide young people towards the world of work and meet the needs of businesses.
The Regions have called on the Government to provide reassurances regarding the new programming of European funds for 2028–2034, so as to avoid excessive centralisation of fund management, ensuring that those allocated to social objectives, cohesion, employment and training remain adequate, identifiable and safeguarded. Finally, there was agreement on the need for a unified approach and coordinated governance between the Ministry and the regions for the new 2028–2034 programming period, with the aim of consolidating the achievements of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and establishing a stable framework for active labour market policies, training and service innovation.
“We hope that a new era of collaboration can begin, in which the State and the Regions work together to develop the policies needed to tackle the major transformations currently taking place ,” said Alberto Lenzi, coordinator of the Labour Commission of the Conference of Regions, “from the conclusion of the GOL Programme to the new European funding period, right through to the challenges of technological innovation, health and safety at work, and industrial crises. Every day, the regions are the institutional level that translates policies into concrete services for citizens and businesses. This is why we are calling for guaranteed resources, stable tools and full involvement in strategic decisions, so that the wealth of expertise, experience and achievements built up over recent years is not lost. Only through genuine cooperation between the Government and the Regions can we ensure labour policies that are more effective, inclusive and capable of supporting the competitiveness of the production system and social cohesion.”
