Italy: Data-driven coordination to strengthen youth training and labour market inclusion

The new agreement between the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, the Ministry of Education and Merit, the Ministry of Universities and Research  and the National Institute for Social Security (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale, INPS) aims to improve the effectiveness of training and labour market inclusion policies. At the heart of this initiative is the alignment of education and training with the real needs of the labour market, particularly addressing the issue of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).

Through the secure and structured exchange of data between the involved entities, it will be possible to design training programmes that respond directly to labour market dynamics. The integration of information systems will allow for the refinement of educational offerings, including primary, secondary, and higher education, as well as postgraduate programmes, making them more aligned with the skills demanded by the workforce. Additionally, it will be possible to more accurately identify NEETs and design targeted training interventions for them based on actual job opportunities. The effectiveness of these initiatives will be assessed through impact indicators, such as employment stability and quality.

The implementation of data-driven training policies will help reduce the gap between labour demand and supply, creating real opportunities for young people and fostering their professional growth. Access to data on employment outcomes and the career paths of graduates will enable the educational system to tailor offerings in a more timely and precise manner, adapting to the ever-changing needs of the labour market.

Furthermore, the integration of data between ministries and INPS will allow the public administration to act more quickly and accurately, adopting an evidence-based approach to decision-making. This will enable the creation of targeted, high-quality interventions, minimising the risk of young people being left on the margins of the labour market.

A key element of this protocol also includes the creation of tools to facilitate the matching of labour demand and supply. Among these tools, the pre-filling of CVs and the updating of social and employment profiles are crucial to supporting young people in their career and training pathways. The interoperability of information systems will be carried out in full compliance with data protection regulations, following principles of data minimisation, security, and privacy by design and default.

This protocol, which is part of the reforms outlined in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), represents a concrete step towards an education and training system more closely aligned with the labour market's needs. It offers increasing opportunities for young people to gain both educational and professional experience. Digitalisation and public system integration are strategic levers to improve training effectiveness, align skills with labour market needs, and support a more inclusive and competitive society.

Read more:

• Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale, Deliberazione n. 154 ‘Protocollo d’intesa tra il Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, il Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito, il Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca e l’INPS per il rafforzamento dello scambio dei dati relativi all’attuazione di politiche in materia di formazione superiore, lavoro, formazione professionale e inclusione sociale’.