The most successful education programmes are those that cut across different subject areas and are tailored on students' needs. These programmes attract student interest and provide flexible solutions to employers in a changing world of work. The collaboration between the University of Trento and ITT (technology-focused high school) “G.°Marconi” of Rovereto, that started a few years ago, goes in this direction. The advanced training course for "Network Infrastructure, Virtualization and Cloud Computing Technicians" gives access to a bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Engineering at the University of Trento, which is one of the degrees offered by the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science. The students who complete the course can continue their studies at the university through a specific, shorter and personalized programme of study that will integrate their practical, hands-on training with university level education that embraces research and innovation.
The agreement establishing the programme was signed today at Palazzo Sardagna, home of the University of Trento, by rector Paolo Collini and the director of ITT “G. Marconi” Giuseppe Rizza, in a meeting that was also attended by provincial councillor Mirko Bisesti and by the director general of Confindustria Roberto Busato. The details of the new agreement were illustrated by Fabrizio Granelli, professor of the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science and contact person for the course for the University of Trento, who worked side by side with Andrea Trentini of ITT Marconi, the course coordinator.
Also in attendance were Paola Iamiceli, Vice Rector for teaching and learning at the University of Trento, Paolo Giorgini, director of the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, and Giordano Tamanini, member of the Course committee and president of Aldebra.
This opportunity follows a similar programme that had been previously approved to train "Automation and Mechatronic Systems Technicians" with the Department of Industrial Engineering. In this case too, the agreement provides for the award of 60 credits by the University of Trento: an aspect that gives prestige to local advanced vocational education and makes it more competitive and qualifying compared to similar programmes launched in Italy in recent years. The strength of this approach is precisely the collaboration between companies, universities, scientific and technological research centres, and the education system. In fact, Confindustria, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Istituto Tecnico Tecnologico "M. Buonarroti", Istituto Artigianelli and the "G. Veronesi" Vocational training school are part of the project.
Both courses aim to develop technological and digital skills and, from a methodological point of view, adopt a hands-on approach. Their goal is to train specialized managers and qualified professionals who will be employed in industry 4.0. The trained technicians obtain a level 5 certificate on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) to work in cutting-edge technological sectors.
Rector Paolo Collini expressed his satisfaction with the agreement: "This is a very special moment for education and training too. The pandemic has disrupted learning, and technologies have undoubtedly played a fundamental role. The tools and teaching and learning methods have been redefined. The theoretical moment of learning and the practical one, which so far have been relatively distant, consecutive and separate, now proceed in an integrated, fluid way, in close connection. It is a great opportunity to rethink training for young people, including by looking at best practices from other countries. What we create today together with ITT Marconi is a union of expertise and resources towards this new vision of education, which in the future may lead to other collaboration opportunities, for example to establish other professional bachelor's degrees".
"Usually, non-academic tertiary training is perceived to be in competition with university education," explained Giuseppe Rizza, director of ITT Marconi. "That is not our case. Indeed, with this programme, the University and ITT Marconi demonstrate that it is possible to create a truly integrated training model, which is innovative and competitive, on the Italian education scene. The advanced training course has been offered for fifteen years by ITT Marconi. We believe that this alliance with the university will greatly benefit young people who, thanks to this opportunity, can count on a modular, flexible programme, which responds to the demands of the employment world but which is open to future developments in a sector where changes occur at a rapid pace. An openness to innovation that university education encourages and fosters. The agreement that we renew today with the University is a great initiative that is also good for the region and the local economy".
Provincial councillor Mirko Bisesti welcomed the new agreement: "Trentino invested a lot in strengthening collaboration between the world of work, school and university and many projects were launched thanks to a network of collaboration. See for example what has been done with work experience schemes. While at the national level the number of hours dedicated to these schemes has been reduced, in Trentino we have chosen to enhance and strengthen this model which receives positive feedback from students. The link between school and university training is an added value for Trentino; it is one of the aspects ensuring the future development of innovative and quality training. Today's agreement is an example of a healthy and necessary collaboration and of planning that benefits young people".
"Confindustria Trento has been involved in projects related to higher education since 2006 and has strengthened dialogue with the world of universities and research" commented the director general of Confindustria Trento, Roberto Busato. "This is because companies need professionalism and trained personnel to meet their needs. In this period of pandemic – as the OECD effectively highlighted in one of its most recent reports on education needs – the world of work needs specific technical skills. Work experience schemes already go in this direction. Entrepreneurs believe this is the right way to go and that is why they give their support". To conclude, a call to the provincial government: "The government has allocated resources to design post-high school vocational programmes for students, which offer highly qualified technical training to enter the world of work faster. A training opportunity that must be supported and enhanced also in our Province".
A new model of advanced training
The development of higher education courses aims first of all to reduce the distance between labour supply and demand and, in general, to reduce the mismatch between human resources, made available by the education and training system, and the opportunities generated by the economic system.
The educational approach adopted for higher vocational training at ITT Marconi is hybrid and innovative: theoretical lessons are provided side by side with internships, workshops, learning by doing, and professional testimonies, because, for the most part, students are immersed in real life settings. The programme provides advanced technicians with important cultural, professional and social skills.
The course lasts two years, or 3,000 hours, of which 40% are carried out at a company through training internships. In class courses are provided (70%) by staff employed by companies, universities and research centres and takes place at Polo Meccatronica in Rovereto.
Each year there are 26 places available in each of the two programmes, which have received many applications in recent editions.
The course aims to develop five basic skills: networking (design, installation and configuration of small networks with switches and routers), virtualization (management of virtualization systems both in-house and in data centres), cloud computing, coding, internet security. Students will also improve their soft skills: knowledge of English, communication, team work, project management, business dynamics and strategies.