In Italy, as in most European countries, traineeships exist as an instrument of on-the-job training, strictly distinct from an employment relationship and there is a distinction between curricular traineeships (provided for or recognisable by the training plans of an educational institution) and extra-curricular traineeships.

Confindustria intends to bring three fundamental issues to the attention of the legislator:

1. Overview of on-the-job training instruments in Italy. The reflection on curricular apprenticeship could be an opportunity to start a more general reflection on how to include this and other tools in a broader framework, within which companies and training institutions work together for the educational and professional growth of the new generations.

2. Enterprise-educational institution partnership. A project for the reform of apprenticeships should start from the need for structured networks between companies and training institutions to be established in Italy in order to build a field of action within which all collaborative activities between companies and training institutions, from simple company testimonials to apprenticeships, can be included.

3. Allowances and liberality of curricular traineeships. Free curricular traineeships are a reality throughout Europe; in some cases there is a reimbursement of expenses for the trainee. However, this should be done without prejudice to 'liberality' on the part of companies, by incentivising this possibility through tax relief.