ITALY: participation in adult learning – latest INDACO survey findings

The Reports to Parliament on the implementation of training policies in continuing training for the years 2020-21 and 2021-22 were published in early 2024. This work represents the outcome of institutional research focused on analysing the demand and supply of adult training, as well as the implementation of policies supporting and promoting public and private investments in continuing vocational training. This period is characterised by the post-pandemic phase of COVID-19 and the launch of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), designed to foster economic recovery and the green and digital transitions.

Main findings
The work was overseen by the National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP) and the National Agency for Active Employment Policies (ANPAL) on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, and is divided into two parts. The first part is dedicated to analysing the evolution of the institutional context, in which opportunities, participation, and investments in training activities have developed for adults (including low-skilled individuals), public and private sector employees, and self-employed workers. Regarding the demand and supply of training, interesting signs of growth have been recorded, with a positive trend both in the levels of training participation by employees, in terms of upskilling or reskilling their knowledge/skills, and in the training investments by companies. According to the third edition of the INDACO-Adults national survey carried out by National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP) through interviews with 40 000 adults, there was a significant growth in participation in informal learning processes, favoured by the spread of less structured training opportunities or by remote working. In 2022 (past 12 months), 9.7% of adults attended formal learning, 45.4% non-formal learning and 86.1% informal learning. Participation of employees was even higher (65.2% non-formal leaning). Nevertheless, the report observed that the country still lagged behind the EU in terms of adult participation in training (9.6% in 2022, past 4 weeks) due to several structural factors, including north/south disparities, demographic ageing, and low access rates to training opportunities for vulnerable groups with low levels of education and/or professional qualifications. 
In retrospect, during this period, the PNRR introduced actions to boost training participation: the New Skills Plan (Piano Nuove Competenze), which aims to enhance professional training, elevate skill levels among jobseekers, and facilitate job transitions, and the Employability guarantee reform programme  (GOL), which offers tailored job placements, training, and retraining pathways for long-term unemployed individuals, young people, women, and those aged 55 and above. According to Eurostat, the rate of adult participation to learning increased in 2023 to 11.6%. 
The second part focuses on implementation, including by training financed through joint inter-professional funds, of the main reform policies such as the GOL programme and the New Skills Fund (FNC), introduced by the PNRR to boost employment and combat unemployment.
There has been an increase in the diversification of training priorities, with greater attention to the digital transition compared to the ecological transition, and a continued concentration of innovation primarily in large companies. According to the fourth edition of the INDACO-Companies survey by INAPP conducted on 20 000 companies, 24% of enterprises with at least 10 employees adopted enabling 4.0 technologies for digitalisation and automation in 2021. The adoption rate increases with the size of the company, rising from 20.9% in small enterprises to 59% in large ones. The use of digitalisation and automation technologies is higher in the manufacturing sector (29.7%) compared to services (19.5%). In manufacturing, the highest adoption rate is found in the production of mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment (37.9%), while in the service sector, the most active companies are in telecommunications, publishing, and IT (44%), with the least active in accommodation and food services (7.1%).
Overall, surveys conducted on companies and workers have shown strong awareness regarding the themes and needs of training. Labour market needs and the shift towards a digital and sustainable economy require a strong focus on cybersecurity, basic and advanced digital skills, relational abilities, technical problem-solving, and targeted training that considers company specifics. According to INDACO-Companies, these new needs include a strong emphasis on cybersecurity and data protection (53%), digital content management (49.2%), and technical problem-solving (47.8%). Basic digital skills are fundamental (62.9%), while advanced skills are becoming increasingly important (42.2%). Companies balance the protection of existing infrastructures with technological innovation, and training activities focus on both transversal and specialised skills to support business growth.
Future outlook
The report findings show a need to adapt the training offer to the new dynamics of the labour market (the digital, ecological and demographic transitions) and to develop a more flexible, personalised, and demand-oriented continuing vocational training system. It is essential that companies recognise the importance of investing in training also to support the ecological transition, promoting the development of skills that support the implementation of sustainable practices in workplaces and society. Defining criteria to link the training offer with the requalification of skills and professional profiles in a sustainable way is a priority. In this context, Inter-Professional Joint Funds are taking on a crucial role in active employment policies, financing training plans that respond to the skill needs linked to digitalisation, including to those based on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

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(in Italian)

• INAPP; ANPAL (2024), XXII Report on Continuing Vocational Training: 2020-21, Rome, Inapp (INAPP; ANPAL (2024), XXII Rapporto sulla Formazione Continua: annualità 2020-2021, Roma, Inapp) 
• INAPP; ANPAL (2024), XXIII Report on Continuing Vocational Training: 2021-22, Rome, Inapp (INAPP; ANPAL (2024), XXIII Rapporto sulla Formazione Continua: annualità 2021-2022, Roma, Inapp) 
• INAPP. Survey on companies INDACO-Imprese 2022 [Indagine sulla conoscenza nelle imprese (INDACO-Imprese 2022]
• INAPP. INDACO-Adults 2022 Survey [Indagine sui comportamenti formativi degli adulti (INDACO-Adulti 2022]
• Presentation of the 2020-2021 report on continuing vocational training to the Parliament- Chamber of Deputies 
• Presentation of the 2021-22 report on continuing vocational training to the Italian Parliament – Chamber of Deputies 
• Presentation of the 2020-21 report on continuing vocational training to the Italian Parliament – Senate
• Presentation of the 2021-22 report on continuing vocational training to the Italian Parliament - Senate