Bringing young people closer to the heart of industry, introducing them to production departments, company dynamics and managerial challenges. This is the mission of Next Generation Days (NGDs), the training programme promoted by the‘Confindustria Advisory Board for Foreign Investors (ABIE). Founded in 2023 with the support of Luiss Guido Carli, Through the Foreign Companies Observatory and Accenture, the project has just completed its third edition, confirming its status as the leading immersive and inter-company experience currently available in Italy.

La the formula is now well established: 220 hours of activities including visits to production facilities, discussions with managers, project work on real-life problems and process analysis. A network of 13 companies contributed to the activities, enabling over 100 young people to tackle real-life cases and experience a learning approach that goes beyond traditional classroom training.

The contribution of foreign multinationals to training and competitiveness

NGDs was established within the network of foreign multinationals that adhere to ABIE, a decisive segment for national competitiveness. The latest Istat data confirm this: there are 18,825 foreign-controlled companies operating in Italy, responsible for over €6 billion invested in research and development – 38.31% of total private expenditure – and 1.83 million jobs, equal to 9.81% of total employment.

In this context, the programme represents a direct investment in human capital and in the skills that the country will increasingly need.

Barbara Cimmino, president of ABIE and vice-president of Confindustria for exports and investment attraction.

Cross-sector contamination and a growing alumni community

A distinctive feature of the project is the heterogeneous composition Teams: young people from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, energy, technology and logistics work together on interdisciplinary challenges. This cross-pollination accelerates learning and strengthens the ability to tackle complex problems.

Meanwhile, the community has also grown stronger. Alumni, with former participants returning as mentors and facilitators, contributing to the dissemination of the method throughout the regions.

A growing model: the agreement with the Regions

NGDs' goal is now to broaden its scope of action.. In collaboration with the Conference of the Regions, The programme is working on a scalable model capable of reaching more young people, involving more businesses and creating a stable link with universities and local institutions.

The voices of Confindustria

“Italy's competitiveness also depends on its ability to attract foreign investment, which is essential for research, innovation and training,” he said. Barbara Cimmino, chairperson ABIE e vice-president by Confindustria for exports and attracting investment. “Next Generation Days It is the first Italian model of inter-company and international industrial training: an investment in young people and in the future of the country. Now we want to expand the network: more young people, more companies, more territories,” added Cimmino.

Riccardo Di Stefano, Confindustria delegate for Education and Open Innovation.

A reminder of the strategic value of training also comes from Riccardo Di Stefano, Confindustria delegate for Education and Open Innovation.

“The real challenge of leadership in the age of Artificial Intelligence is not adopting new technologies, but training people capable of guiding them. In a rapidly ageing country, we must transform migration policies into training policies: creating skills, attracting talent, building opportunities. The future is built with a new generation that is advancing, and not alone,” said Di Stefano.

Tangible and applicable results

The latest edition concluded with the public presentation of projects completed during the year: solutions that can be immediately applied in business contexts, confirming that NGDs It is not an experiment, but a permanent laboratory serving young people, businesses and the country's competitiveness.