Cooperation with Italy continues to gather momentum

In 2023 the bilateral cooperation partners from both countries built on their successful VET collaboration, that goes back many years, with the support of numerous stakeholders: February saw the start of the “ConnActions” project, which is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and is scheduled to run for a term of several years. It is aimed at organisations within the field of VET which are seeking to engage in and shape partnership-driven networks with Italy. Interested parties were given until the spring of 2023 to register for assistance with the establishment or management of a partner network. These networks, which comprise various groups of VET stakeholders from both countries, have been consolidating since October 2023 as they work together on joint goals and work programmes.

The project has emerged as a “needs-based product” from the cooperative work that took place on the “Partnership Study” (Partnerships and vocational education and training cooperation agreements between Germany and Italy – stakeholders, the status quo and areas of potential for development) with extensive technical and coordinating preparatory efforts by GOVET. It is specifically dedicated to the study’s findings. The central focus is on fostering dialogue and networking between Italian and German dual VET stakeholders in order to establish successful models of bilateral “public-private partnerships” over the long term.

Excellence in vocational education and training

The “Premio di Eccellenza Duale” was also awarded in 2023 to recognise exemplary dual training provision. This vocational education and training prize has been conferred by the German Chamber of Commerce in Italy with the support of GOVET and the BMBF since 2018. It is bestowed on companies which champion innovative and excellent projects and approaches for dual training in Italy. The jury, which comprises representatives from the BMBF, GOVET, the Italian Ministry of Education, the competent body of the Italian Ministry of Labour ANPAL, the employer and employee associations and the German Chamber of Commerce in Italy, awarded the Excellence Prize in four categories. These explicitly included the area of school, small companies and companies in the smallest size category. The formal awards ceremony took place in early December at the Residence of the German Ambassador in Rome, Dr. Hans-Dieter Lucas, who gave an appreciative opening address at the event. Speaking on behalf of the jury, GOVET Project Head Sara-Julia Zakhia praised the prize winners for their valuable work in the excellent projects. The distinguished setting for the prize ceremony once again underlined the importance and sense of commitment associated with the prize on the part of the Italian employer associations and, trade unions, which were present, as well as the local Ministries of Labour and Education in terms of affirming the expansion of vocational education and training in Italy.

GOVET’s consultancy work in the bilateral cooperation agreements further embraces the creation of supporting materials and tools for national and international IVETC stakeholders. A comprehensive translation of training regulations in the hospitality sector into Italian was thus finalised in 2023.

Input from cooperation partners with Italy also took place to mark the tenth anniversary of GOVET and of the Strategy of the Federal Government on international VET cooperation. The Goethe Institute in Rome and its “Ginnlab Impresa Sociale”, which has been promoting vocational orientation in Italy for years, presented its work at a “Warp Conference” showcasing international examples of best practice in VET cooperation.

In 2023, GOVET continued to act within the scope of the bilateral cooperation agreement by contributing expertise and guidance in regular work sessions, planning workshops and technical meetings, particularly within the context of “ConnActions”. Future projects will therefore be founded on a solid basis of partnership created by VET cooperation between Germany and Italy that has already been ongoing continuously for twelve years.