Confindustria launches a shared strategy for the future of human capital

It closed at Ortigia the first Education and Open Innovation Forumorganised by Confindustria. Two days of discussion, over 60 associations involved and around 600 participantsto put the focus on the future of human capital, the demographic challenge and the need for a shared strategy capable of redrawing the balance between society and the economy.

Human capital and demography: the challenge of the present

Lucia Aleotti: 'The evolution of the demographic crisis requires action today'

To open the proceedings, greetings from the Mayor of Syracuse, Francesco Italiaand the President of Confindustria Siracusa, Gian Piero Reale.
La Vice President for the Confindustria Studies Centre, Lucia Aleottiexplained the document "11.2 goals for a future yet to be written"and called for urgent action on the demographic crisis and the skills shortage.

"11.2 is a number that already calls us to action today, but not tomorrow. We have to do it today because the evolution of this demographic crisis is so rapid that already today the business system is suffering dramatically,' said Aleotti.

The Vice-President also emphasised the Growing gap between training and labour market:

"70% of companies looking for new workers cannot find them".

A figure that is directly linked to welfare retention:

"Ten million employees support 83.2% of revenue. The whole system depends on the ability of companies to remain competitive and to find suitable staff."

Active policies and inclusion: the protocol with the Ministry of Labour

Calderone and Orsini sign agreement to enhance SIISL platform

The first day ended with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Confindustria and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policiessigned by President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsini, and by the Minister Marina Elvira Calderone.

The document aims to strengthen the national SIISL work platformpromoting social inclusion and skills development.

The President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsiniand the Minister, Marina Elvira Calderone, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development and enhancement of the Information System for Social and Labour Inclusion (SIISL)

Minister Calderone, in her speech, emphasised that although the employment picture is positive, it is necessary "put in place more incisive actions on the training and creation of the new skills needed to face the digital and technological transition".

Innovation and skills: investing in people for the future of business

Emanuele Orsini: 'Looking to the future of business means investing in people'

The second day was opened by the President of Confindustria, Emanuele Orsiniwhich recalled the centrality of human capital as a strategic lever for competitiveness.

"I believe that this first Education and Open Innovation Forum is an important milestone. For the first time, Confindustria, not alone as entrepreneurs but together with the university, is pushing the issue of training young people. It is crucial for our future,' said Orsini.

The president remarked how the country's growth comes through education, start-ups and digital innovation:

"This day is finalised precisely for the growth of the country: the central theme is young people, start-ups, digital, artificial intelligence. These are the new challenges of the future that we must be able to seize as other continents are already doing very well, but we are unfortunately lagging far behind."

Orsini also drew attention to the European context and the need for a greater integration and protection of the internal market:

"The Europe we want is not this. We want a more interconnected Europe, with clear rules, because the defence of Made in Italy and Made in Europe goes from here. If we are not able to change these rules, it will be difficult to compete."

Orsini also touched on the chapter Budget Law and, while appreciating the words of the Prime Minister on the manoeuvrehighlighted three areas where it is necessary continue the dialogue with the government:

• the tightening of dividend taxationdescribed as 'worrying';
• the lack of extension of the rules on the SME Guarantee Fund;
• the restriction of tax credit rules.

And he concluded with a appeal to political and industrial responsibility:

"We should at least protect the internal market, but even that we cannot defend. We bring in others who have different energy costs and social responsibilities. If we want to maintain Europe's prosperity, we have to do it by putting enterprise at the centre. Industrial innovation and training: a bridge between business and research.

 

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Fincantieri, Confindustria and the university system

Contributions on the second day included the speech by Pierroberto Folgiero, Managing Director of Fincantieriwhich outlined the strategic planning of resources and skills needed in the sector.

He emphasised the importance of "talking to universities and the world of education in a new way', building a structured dialogue to accompany industrial planning and demand for skills.

The theme of the link between business and research was also explored in the Enterprise-Research Bridge Panelwith Francesco De Santis, Vice President of Confindustria Research and Innovation, and Laura RamaciottiPresident of the CRUI.

Training and universities: building skills for innovation

Bernini: 'Training courses adhering to the needs of companies'

The Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, and the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria BerniniThey brought an institutional perspective on the role of schools and universities in bridging the gap between demand and supply of skills.

Bernini emphasised that 'there are no limits to where we want to go" and reaffirmed the commitment to build "training courses tailored as closely as possible to the needs of companies", with the aim of "training skills and professionalism that in part do not yet exist, through the active and passive use of technologies".

Artificial intelligence and productivity: Ai as a lever for the country system

Alberto Tripi: 'Supporting people and businesses for a more competitive Italy

The President of Almaviva e Confindustria's Special Advisor for Artificial Intelligence, Alberto Tripihighlighted the role of Ai as a support tool for people and workers:

"Artificial intelligence must support people and workers to make Italy more competitive as a business and public services. It must help us compensate for the decline in the number of workers in the coming years and support the national production and welfare system."

A new alliance between generations, knowledge and enterprise

The Education and Open Innovation Delegate of Confindustria, Riccardo Di Stefanoin his closing speech at the Ortigia Forum

Riccardo Di Stefano: 'The future is not inherited, it is generated'

In closing, the Education and Open Innovation Delegate of Confindustria, Riccardo Di Stefanooutlined the long-term vision behind the event and the project Genesislaunched as a strategic platform for education and innovation.

"11.2% is the number that tells the risk of an ageing country, but it can become a lever for change. A new alliance between generations, knowledge and enterprise starts from Ortigia. The future is not inherited, it is generated."

Di Stefano appealed to the collective co-responsibility:

"We ask institutions to believe in it, companies to continue investing in people, schools to open up to the world of work, and young people not to be afraid to stay and innovate."

Towards a new genesis of human capital

The Ortigia Forum marks the start of a strategic path that unites education, innovation and sustainability as pillars for the competitiveness of the country. Confindustria thus relaunches a shared vision that starts from human capital to build a future of inclusive, open and responsible growth.