In a groundbreaking initiative, twenty Tunisian workers have arrived on the Italian island of Procida to work in the construction sector as part of a pilot project focused on vocational training and regular migration. This program is linked to Italy's Plan Mattei for development, which seeks to meet the demand for qualified labor by organizing training courses in countries of origin that lead to legal recruitment in Italy.
The twenty young Tunisians were recruited by Italian company Anzuino as masons and will receive free accommodation to facilitate their professional and social integration on the island. The project is led by Nuove Frontiere Lavoro S.p.A., an Italian company, in collaboration with three Tunisian partners: Delta Center, Format, and Idee Insieme. The initiative was officially presented at Procida's municipal office, with local institutions and stakeholders in attendance.
According to Majdi Karoui, operational manager for Delta Center, the twenty candidates were selected from hundreds of applications and interviews. Their six-month preparation in Tunisia covered linguistic training, workplace safety, technical skills, and the use of personal protective equipment. The program also included an additional 160-hour Format A1 training course. After completing the program and passing exams, procedures for obtaining work permits and visas were initiated at the Italian Embassy in Tunis.
The workers joined Italy through a special arrangement for foreign nationals who have completed specific vocational training and language programs abroad, outside the ordinary quotas of the Decreto Flussi. They were recruited with a regular residence permit for salaried work. Sandro Fratini, president of Delta Center, stated that this first experience could be replicated and expanded to other sectors, such as tourism and hospitality, where Italian companies are seeking personnel trained to international standards.
The project's objective is also to promote a transfer of skills, allowing workers to return to Tunisia with professional experience acquired in Italy. However, the implementation encountered difficulties, particularly in finding accommodation for the twenty beneficiaries, a process that took four months. The municipality of Procida welcomed this initiative, which could serve as a model for other Italian companies looking to recruit trained workers from North Africa regularly.
The pilot program aims to address labor shortages in Italy while providing opportunities for Tunisian workers to gain experience and skills. The collaboration between Italian and Tunisian partners highlights the potential for mutually beneficial agreements. As the project progresses, its impact on both countries' economies and labor markets will be closely monitored.
The success of this initiative could pave the way for future partnerships between Italy and Tunisia, potentially leading to more extensive cooperation in various sectors. The project's outcomes will likely be scrutinized by stakeholders and policymakers, who may seek to adapt or expand the model to suit other countries or industries.
Key points
- The program provides a regular migration pathway for Tunisian workers to address Italian labor shortages.
- The initiative includes vocational training and linguistic preparation for workers in Tunisia before their recruitment in Italy.
- The project's success may lead to its replication in other sectors, such as tourism and hospitality.
