People

Finmeccanica Istituti Tecnici Superiori (ITS): new technical training launched

An excellent opportunity for young people and companies has been launched. For the first time in Italy, there is a post-secondary training route running in parallel with academic courses, aimed at integrating education, training and employment.

In November 2009, as part of the reorganisation of secondary schools and technical/professional training, the “Finmeccanica Istituti Tecnici Superiori" project was created following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, and Finmeccanica.

The Istituti Tecnici Superiori (ITS) will train “super-technicians”, equipped not only with the skills defined by the schools but also the capabilities expected by companies. The over-arching objective behind the creation of these institutes is to give a competitive boost to the Italian economy, in a concrete attempt to relaunch the country’s knowledge culture.

This Italian-based project compares well with best international practice i.e. the Universities of Applied Sciences of Italian Switzerland (SUPSI), the German Fachschule, the French Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) and the Spanish Escuela de Formacion Superior Tecnica.

WHAT ARE ISTITUTI TECNICI SUPERIORI (ITS)?

ITS are “special technology schools” offering post-secondary technical training courses of two years’ duration, organised by private law foundations set up for the purpose in Italy.

Students at these institutes have the opportunity to learn genuine highly-skilled “trades” in an environment that facilitates a mutually beneficial relationship between schools, universities, laboratories and companies.

The courses consist of around 1,800 training hours over four semesters, and also include in-depth study on specific topics, an apprenticeship and on-the-job training.

As set out in the memorandum of understanding, employees from Finmeccanica Group companies will spend at least 50% of their total working hours engaged in teaching, and the company will make its facilities (e.g. laboratories, machinery, technical rooms, etc.) available for students to use.

The Finmeccanica Group is involved in the project through membership of seven foundations across the same number of italian regions:

• Lombardy, Piedmont, Campania, Apulia, Tuscany, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Liguria

Eight Group companies are members of the foundations:

• AgustaWestland, Alenia Aeronautica, AnsaldoBreda, Ansaldo STS, Oto Melara, SELEX Galileo, SuperJet International and WASS

In each region, the partnership and training provision are tailored to the specific requirements of the business: aerospace, helicopters, electronic systems and transport.

WHO CAN ENROL?

Anyone who holds the Italian high school diploma and who meets the criteria published in the relevant regional competitions may enrol with the ITS.

Admission is subject to the passing of tests established at national level and based on the requirements of the regional technical and scientific committees of each foundation.

Only 20 candidates that meet the requirements in each region will make it to the training course. Students will be selected according to very challenging criteria: excellent marks for their high school diploma, technical ability, attitudes to team working, motivation and propensity for continuous learning.

OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED

The ITS offers the opportunity to obtain the Higher Technical Diploma, recognised throughout Europe, and to access the world of work in a specialised area.

It also allows individuals to continue their studies for a three-year degree, thanks to the award by the foundation’s partner universities of training credits accumulated during the two-year training course.

WHEN DO COURSES START?

Teaching activities will start in the training year 2011/2012.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

Sustainable mobility:

• Lombardy: ITS specialising in assembly lines for aeronautics construction and aircraft maintenance
• Piedmont: ITS specialising in aeronautics/mechatronics production support systems
• Campania: ITS specialising in rail vehicle and rail infrastructure production
• Apulia: ITS specialising in transport vehicles and related infrastructure production and maintenance

New technology for Italian industry:

• Tuscany: ITS specialising in mechanical product and process innovation
• Friuli Venezia Giulia: ITS specialising in the mechanical and aeronautics industry
• Liguria: ITS specialising in mechanical product and process innovation

AFTER THE ITS, WHAT NEXT?

Students graduating from the ITS are highly specialised professionals in their area of study with excellent linguistic skills.

Abilities, attitudes and talent complete the profile of these “super technicians”, who will immediately be offered a high-level apprenticeship contract (alto apprendistato) with one of the Finmeccanica Group’s operating companies, guaranteeing that they are fully employable.