Italian youngsters have three options when it comes to secondary education: high schools, which concentrate on the arts and humanities; science-focused technical institute; and vocational colleges. According to data from the Italian Ministry of Public Education, secondary school registrations for 2023/24 show that high schools are considerably more popular (57.1%), than the other two (30.9% and 12.7% respectively). Such an imbalance has profound economic and social implications and bears witness to a vision of learning that does not align with the needs of businesses. Parents are convinced that traditional high schools and university degrees are themost prestigious and formative route, offering the best work opportunities. In reality, the labour market is in desperate need of specialist technicians and skilled trades people, even though these roles can be reasonably well-paid. The result is a mismatch between youngsters’ aspirations and the actual situation, damaging both their chances of a satisfying career and the wider Italian economy. The building sector is a case in point. The money pouring in from the country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan — involving renovation work on existing buildings and the construction of new buildings — is breathing new life into the sector. Public funding for developments in this sector is expected to increase by 25% during 2023. Italy risks losing its traditional crafts due to an age-old unresolved issue with training VOCATIONAL EDUCATION 42 EXCERPT
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