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Italian SMEs neglect training: elderly and poorly trained workers, an alarm from the Indaco Imprese report

The survey reveals an insufficient investment in skills and a lack of sensitivity towards technological innovation. "Worrying situation" says Inapp

Italian SMEs neglect training: elderly and poorly trained workers, an alarm from the Indaco Imprese report

In the latest issue of Sinappsi magazine, the scientific periodical of theNational Institute for Public Policy Analysis (Inapp), the results of the Indaco Imprese survey are presented, involving over 20.000 Italian companies. The data that emerges highlight a worrying situation regarding the training of workers in micro and small enterprises, highlighting an insufficient investment in skills and a lack of sensitivity towards technological innovation.

Low worker participation in training programs and an aging workforce 

According to the survey, only 56,7% of micro enterprises organize training courses for their employees, compared to 94,1% of large companies. Furthermore, most of the courses are offered to fulfill legal obligations (84,5%), while only 32,5% of companies offer training on technical specifications and production or service technologies. Often, these companies involve only a part of the staff, neglecting the less skilled workers, who would most need updating and skills development.

The situation is further aggravated by the old age dependency ratio, which represents the ratio between the population aged at least 65 and the population of working age (15-64 years). This index remains one of the highest in Europe, reaching 37% in Italy. This means that workers age along with their skills.

Training in Italy: data far from the European objectives 

Nationwide, only 9,9% of Italian workers take part in vocational training courses, far from the European target of 15%. Participation in training is also influenced by the lack of supply of courses at a local level, especially in the southern regions.

Furthermore, only 4,8% of companies presented training projects to obtain funding from the Fund for new skills, while 13% did not apply for them or were unaware of them. As regards the development of digital technologies, only 5% of companies have adopted the technologies indispensable to compete in the digital age.

These data are not aligned with the European objectives for digital skills and adult participation in training. The European Commission's Pathway to the Digital Decade aims to increase employed ICT specialists from 8 million to 20 million, make 75% of businesses use cloud, big data and AI, and ensure that 90% of SMEs have at least one basic level of digital intensity. However, on the training front, The European Council has set a target for 2030 that at least 60% of adults aged 25-64 participate in learning activities in the previous 12 months.

The European Year of Skills, coordinated in Italy by Inapp, is indicated as an opportunity to support the development of workers' skills. Three directions are suggested to promote this development: investment in training and retraining, ensuring that workers' skills are consistent with the needs of the labor market and that citizens' aspirations and skills match the opportunities offered by the labor market, especially in the green and digital transition sectors.

Training: the opportunities for the future and the causes of the delay 

The president of INAPP, Professor Sebastiano Fadda, underlined the importance of supporting training, the reskilling and upskilling of all personnel, especially in SMEs, to face the challenges of the digital age. However, the data emerging from the Institute's research show a very low participation of workers in training programs during their working life, and an equally insufficient sensitivity of companies, especially small ones, towards technological and organizational innovation.

The delay of SMEs in the field of training is mainly attributable to poor ability to face the challenges of digitization and innovationas well as the lack of a culture of skills development. Added to this is a technological and cognitive infrastructural gap, and little innovative organizational and business models. However, Professor Fadda highlighted the opportunities represented by Interprofessional Funds, as well as the European Year of Skills and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr).

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