La ITS reform is law. The Draghi government's bet for training passed in the Chamber with 387 votes in favor, no votes against and six abstentions. But time is running out. After the reform on the Higher technical institutes needs well 19 implementing measures which involve other ministries (not just Education) and the times, as mentioned, are short, given that it ranges from 90 to 180 days, in agreement with the Regions (19 of the 17 implementing measures must be adopted in agreement with the State conference -Regions). Meanwhile, students, families, teachers and companies involved are waiting as the courses start between October and November.
It is a real race against time and what is at stake are the funds activated thanks to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr): 1,5 billion euros. Minister Patrizio Bianchi, in Sole24 Ore, assured that he had opened the dossiers, announcing the tender for the end of August which assigns the first 500 million EU to the ITS to strengthen the laboratories. There is also the decree with ordinary funds of 48,3 million, which is still at a standstill. But let's see what ITS are and how they will change.
What are ITSs?
A Higher Technical Institute or Higher Technological Institute is a type of Italian school of high technological specialization, born in 2010, i.e. a non-university post-graduate level training institution. An excellent option to train and prepare for the world of work.
Le technological areas six are interested:
• Energy efficiency area
• Sustainable Mobility Area
• New technologies of life area
• New technologies area for Made in Italy
• Innovative technologies area for cultural assets and activities – Tourism
• Information and communication technologies area.
I corsi they are built through shared and participatory planning with businesses and other players in the system. They have one duration which oscillates between four and six semesters and at least 30% of the hours take place directly in the company (in fact, at least 60% of the teaching staff comes from the world of work). At the end of the course, students will have to face an assessment conducted by examination commissions made up of representatives of the university and professional training schools and experts from the world of work.
There is always the possibility of carrying out work experience under the scheme apprenticeship.
ITS reform: the ambitious goal of the Draghi government
La bet by the Draghi government for the ITS it is clear: to strengthen what since 2010 has been the second tertiary education system alongside the University. A revolution in education that comes from afar, that looks to German model of the Fachhochschulen (higher vocational training institutes) and to the French one and which suffers delays of 50 years.
The new regulations intervene on the denomination of the ITS, on the levels of the path, on the variety of technological areas, on the connection with the university system, on the synergy with companies, on tax relief for lenders and on the redefinition of both governance and founding subjects " . In order to double the membership fee: from about 21 current to 40 by 2026. This is one of the reasons why the ITS will change its appearance and name, becoming Higher Technological Institutes. One way to better explain the importance of these post-diploma specialization courses which today guarantee employment rates of 80% within one year of graduation and in 91% of cases in an area consistent with the training course carried out.
What does the new law on ITS provide?
The main points of the reform are:
- The new objectives will be: to enhance and expand the professional training of senior technicians with high technological and technical-professional skills; systematically support measures for the economic development and competitiveness of the country's production system; contribute to the dissemination of scientific, technological and green culture.
- The ITS 2022 reform divides training courses into two levels, according to the European Qualifications Framework (European Qualification Framework – EQF), or those of: 5th EQF level, lasting two years; 6th EQF level, lasting three years.
- The training activity will be carried out for at least 60% of the total amount of teaching time by teachers from the world of work and company internships and traineeships are compulsory for at least 35% of the total amount of teaching time.
- ITS start-up methods and related rules will also change.
- i come bonus in favor of foundations starting from the 2022 tax period: a tax credit of 30% will be due.
- The reform has strengthened the tertiary system of Higher Technological Education by also establishing a special Fund at the Ministry of Education. The endowment of the new fund is 48.355.436 euros per year starting from 2022. The fund will be renewed every year.
- Introduction of sector and territorial coordination networks with related information campaigns and orientation activities with the aim of promoting gender balance in enrollments in these courses.
- Addition of a national committee ITS Academy, with consultancy and proposal duties.
