- 2015Implementation
- 2016Implementation
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
The development of a statistical system for VET at national level which is compatible with the latest technological developments and takes advantage of ICT tools was necessary for monitoring the VET funding schemes handled by the Regions and autonomous provinces and the results of training programmes-both for optimal use of funds but also for the quality assurance of the learning provision.
Objectives
The aim of the system is to ensure interoperability between public information tools and databases, to allow the evaluation of public funds in VET, and to feed the 'electronic worker folder' on issues concerning the assessment of competences acquired in formal, non-formal and informal learning.
Description
Amongst the main reforms of the labour market outlined in the Jobs Act, the legislative Decree No 150/2015 provided the management of a unique information system on active policies whose one main branch is represented by the National statistical system for VET (SIU Formazione). It represents the unique informative source of data for monitoring VET funding schemes and programmes which are carried out and managed by the Regions and autonomous provinces. According to the constitutional provisions, these are considered responsible for the implementation of public resources coming from the national side and from European Social Fund, aimed at funding VET learning pathways in compulsory education (IVET) and also continuing vocational training programmes (CVET) managed by inter-professional funds. This informative system on VET is designed and operates on the basis of interoperability with other databases managed by public authorities.
In 2015, the national statistical system on VET had been set up and was expected to be further developed through a European Social Fund (ESF) project (2014-20) carried out and coordinated by ANPAL (the National agency for active employment policies). A national VET monitoring report was in place to survey the employability of VET graduates and was implemented to become an open infrastructure aimed at connecting the informative systems used by the regions and other public authorities of the network of active policies, SIU Formazione.
No major development
No major development
No major development
Activities in 2019 focused on the definition and the implementation of the data model: the informative system (SIU Formazione), planned to be implemented on a regional basis, according to the existing IT systems of the territories even if these systems were used for other purposes (such as the classifications used by the national accounting system for expenses, the national statistics taxonomies and those used within the education and training system), but on shared standards and a common data model (designed to link different structured tables (by means of common index and codes), with different but complementary information about the learners/beneficiary (such as the characteristics of the learner and the target group to whom he/she belongs, the nature of the intervention, the main information about the learning provider).
In 2020, activities focused on piloting initiatives with the aim of providing data for two regions, to complete in detail the shared data model specifications and to adopt a protocol of interoperability. This phase was also necessary for defining the set of synthesis indicators to be used for the descriptive statistics and for assessing the quality of collected data.
In 2021, activities focused on the revision of some classifications adopted in the system, also in consideration of their connection with what is used in the Employability guarantee programme (the so-called GOL - Garanzia Occupabilità dei Lavoratori). In addition, discussions continued with the regions that had not yet adopted the protocols for the provision of statistical data on training.
In 2022, the updating of the informative system (SIU Formazione), regarding monitoring of training activities continued. Emphasis was given on reviewing citizen's professional data sheet as a means for monitoring the implementation of the GOL programme. In particular, the review concerned both the typologies of titles, qualifications and certifications awarded and from a technical perspective to the descriptive elements of the Atlas of work and qualifications (starting from the units of competences as expected outcomes).
The 'Employment Decree 2023' introduced new measures aimed at promoting social and employment inclusion. This legislation introduced tools such as the 'Support for Training and Labour' (SFL) and the 'Inclusion Allowance' (AdI). Additionally, the 'Social and Employment Inclusion Information System' (SIISL) was set up within the labour ministry. Activities related to training, professional qualification and re-qualification, as well as career guidance and job placement conducted by SFL beneficiaries, are recorded by the entities providing these services on the 'Unified Information System' (SIU Formazione) platform for SFL and AdI beneficiaries. The SIU Formazione is an integral part of the SIISL and encompasses various components, including an information system for recipients of social welfare benefits, a digital archive of mandatory communications, and data on the management of employment services and active labour market policies. This includes the Declaration of Immediate Availability for Work (DID) and the Personal and Professional Profile (SAP).
The Social and Employment Inclusion Information System (SIISL) was officially activated on the National Institute of Social Security (INPS) platform starting from 24 November 2024. SIISL enables interoperability amongst various digital platforms used by accredited service providers It also facilitates access for beneficiaries of social programs, such as the Inclusion Allowance (AdI) and Support for Training and Labour (SFL), as well, the New Social Insurance for Employment (NASPI) and Unemployment Benefit for coordinated and continuous workers (DIS-COLL) beneficiaries, by providing personalised services tailored to their needs. Furthermore, the SIISL promotes independent skill enhancement and job searching and identifying relevant training activities, thereby improving employability and professional development.
The labour ministry has won the ComoLake Awards 2024 for the SIISL platform, created in collaboration with INPS. This award recognises companies, institutions, startups, and individuals active in the field of digital transformation, honouring those who have developed services and technological advancements that meet labour market demands in a constantly evolving environment, effectively turning progress into new opportunities.
Bodies responsible
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policies
- Regions and autonomous provinces
Target groups
Entities providing VET
- Companies
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- VET providers (all kinds)
Other stakeholders
- Social partners (employer organisations and trade unions)
- National, regional and local authorities
Thematic categories
Governance of VET and lifelong learning
This thematic category looks at existing legal frameworks providing for strategic, operational – including quality assurance – and financing arrangements for VET and lifelong learning (LLL). It examines how VET and LLL-related policies are placed in broad national socioeconomic contexts and coordinate with other strategies and policies, such as economic, social and employment, growth and innovation, recovery and resilience.
This thematic category covers partnerships and collaboration networks of VET stakeholders – especially the social partners – to shape and implement VET in a country, including looking at how their roles and responsibilities for VET at national, regional and local levels are shared and distributed, ensuring an appropriate degree of autonomy for VET providers to adapt their offer.
The thematic category also includes efforts to create national, regional and sectoral skills intelligence systems (skills anticipation and graduate tracking) and using skills intelligence for making decisions about VET and LLL on quality, inclusiveness and flexibility.
This thematic sub-category refers to the ways VET is funded at the system level. Policies include optimisation of VET provider funding that allows them to adapt their offer to changing skill needs, green and digital transitions, the social agenda and economic cycles, e.g. increasing the funding for VET or for specific programmes. They can also concern changing the mechanism of how the funding is allocated to VET schools (per capita vs based on achievement or other criteria). Using EU funds and financial instruments for development of VET and skills also falls into this sub-category.
This thematic sub-category refers to further development of national quality assurance (QA) systems for IVET and CVET, for all learning environments (school-based provision and work-based learning, including apprenticeships) and all learning types (digital, face-to-face or blended), delivered by both public and private providers. These systems are underpinned by the EQAVET quality criteria and by indicative descriptors applied both at system and provider levels, as defined in Annex II of the VET Recommendation. The sub-category concerns creating and improving external and self-evaluation of VET providers, and establishing criteria of QA, accreditation of providers and programmes. It also covers the activities of Quality assurance national reference points for VET on implementing and further developing the EQAVET framework, including the implementation of peer reviews at VET system level.
High-quality and timely skills intelligence is a powerful policy tool, helping improve economic competitiveness and fostering social progress and equality through the provision of targeted skills training to all citizens (Cedefop, 2020). Skills intelligence is the outcome of an expert-driven process of identifying, analysing, synthesising and presenting quantitative and/or qualitative skills and labour market information. Skills intelligence draws on data from multiple sources, such as graduate tracking systems, skills anticipation mechanisms, including at sectoral and regional levels. Actions related to establishing and developing such systems fall under this thematic sub-category.
European priorities in VET
Osnabrück Declaration
- Establishing a new lifelong learning culture - relevance of continuing VET and digitalisation
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). National statistical system for VET: Italy. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28316