Italy: energy group Enel to train 5,500 technicians for its network of supplier companies

Launched by Italian electricity and gas group Enel, in partnership with the training body ELIS, the “Energie per Crescere” (Energy for Growth) programme will offer five weeks of training to 5,500 young people who are unemployed or out of work, and have a bachelor’s degree or already have a qualification in electricity or electronics. The aim of the initiative is to train a pool of technicians specialising in the energy transition and network digitalisation. “We want to encourage the convergence of training and the world of work, through specific programmes tailored to the needs of companies working with Enel throughout Italy to manage increasingly smart and digital electricity grids,” says Nicola Lanzetta, director of Enel Italia. Suppliers joining the programme will be able to submit their staffing requests, which will be organised on a geographical basis. During the selection phase, managed by recruitment agencies, candidates will be able to find out which companies are interested and consider the location of employment offered. During their training, carried out at an accredited institute, the technicians will receive an allowance of €800. They will then be hired by one of Enel’s partner companies on a fixed-term contract of at least six months, with the possibility of the contract being renewed. It is very rare in Italy for a large company to be directly involved in training for the staff of its suppliers.