06   Aprile   2012

Training for laid-off ceramic workers

An innovative project aimed at improving the employability of laid-off workers registered on the “available-to-work” list

On Tuesday 27 March 2012, the Confindustria Ceramica Cafeteria hosted a press conference presenting the “ Training programme for laid-off ceramic sector workers ”, an innovative project aimed at improving the employability of laid-off workers registered on the “available-to-work” list.

Addresses were given by: Emilio Mussini, chairman of Confindustria Ceramica’s training commission; Claudio Pistoni, chairman of Cerform; Paola Careddu, coordinator of the training programme; Fabio Balzani, regional secretary of Uilcem-Uil; and Glauco Roberti from Unimpiego Confindustria.

Emilio Mussini stressed the values of social responsibility and territoriality, outlining the way the sector has developed in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia and emphasising the value of workers as a resource. Confindustria Ceramica and other players must organise initiatives to support workers otherwise lacking in prospects, he argued, training them in the areas of expertise in demand in the market and allowing them to fulfil their motivation, abilities and skills. The objective difficulty of finding re-employment in the ceramic sector should be an incentive to explore opportunities in other sectors.

Claudio Pistoni, commenting on the synergies that have been established between the various players in the programme, argued that everyone must do their part: “Unity makes strength,” he said. If the programme works, similar initiatives could be proposed for other unemployed workers in the awareness that we need to go beyond the “known world” and open up to new business models and professions.

Paola Careddu outlined the training programme. Although still open for applications, it will start out with 20 participants selected from the 500 workers laid off by companies located in the provinces of Modena and Reggio Emilia and registered with Fondimpresa. Each participant can choose from a range of modules, which may or may not be related to the ceramic sector, including two obligatory modules on work orientation and job hunting held in cooperation with Unimpiego and Gi Group.

Glauco Roberti presented Unimpiego, a Confindustria Ceramica service designed to bring together job offers and applicants.
Fabio Balzani emphasised the importance of human resources and the possibility of relocation for people who lose their jobs so as to offer workers new prospects in different fields and/or geographical areas. 

The aim of the programme presented at the press conference is to facilitate the re-hiring of workers who have been laid off due to the economic downturn by improving their employability and adapting their expertise to potential new areas of employment. This involves organising training activities capable of creating specialist, certified expertise that is recognised by employers and keeps abreast of changes in the production sector.
The courses are organised according to the real needs, availability and expectations expressed by the workers as well as the skills requirements of employers and are held before the workers reach the end of the period registered on the availability list.

A preliminary analysis of the employment needs of companies and the training needs of workers revealed a few priority areas on which to focus the individual activities of the Programme and their specific contents. 

The activities include: ceramic production as a whole and individual stages of the process; plant operation and product and process innovation; warehouse logistics and forklift truck driver licences; installation of photovoltaic and thermal solar systems; IT tools; English, Spanish and advanced Italian language courses; event organisation and management; mechanical design and three-dimensional design; graphic design and communication; cookery and catering; as well as a module on low-cost self-employment opportunities which may offer support in embarking on autonomous career paths.

The “Training programme for laid-off ceramic sector workers” stems from an agreement between Confindustria Ceramica and the ceramic sector trade unions Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uilcem-Uil focusing on the strategic role of training. In response to a contract notice issued by Fondimpresa, they promoted a joint venture between Cerform and Ifoa in cooperation with the employment agency Gi Group and the mediation firm Unimpiego Confindustria.

The Provincial administrations of Modena and Reggio Emilia helped organise contacts with laid-off workers who may be interested in this initiative, thereby contributing to the creation of professional training and requalification opportunities. Laid-off ceramic sector workers who are interested can contact Cerform (+39 0536.999.811).